It's all well and good to want to go into ministry, but a challenge set to me by a close friend of mine today was to ask the question: "Is God truly calling me into ministry?"
And to be honest, the question floored me.
My desire is to see people saved, by the one whom saved me, Jesus Christ my Lord. I also feel that God has gifted me to minister about Jesus to those who are lost, as I also feel he has equipped all of us to minister in our own ways about Jesus.
But does this become an answer to the question? Is God truly calling me into ministry?
On the surface, and in part, yes it does. As Jesus, in what is famously called 'The Great Commission', has instructed us to go out and make disciples of all nations.
But what about life service? What about actually becoming a pastor of a church, a leader of the flock?
How can you know?
I'm not sure, but a few things that were made clear to me:
Firstly
John 12:24-26 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."
It needs to be a daily commitment. Death to yourself, follow and serve Christ.
My friend said that each day is the same prayer 'Lord, that you might use me for your good and perfect will, and not my own will."
Secondly
God's call to ministry starts yesterday. Generally speaking, There is no starting point, there is no defined beginning and end to someones ministry, but it is something they have a desire to do, and ministry is the natural progression from that, by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Thirdly
There will be refinement, and there will be challenges and trials.
2 Timothy 4:5 "As for you, always be sober minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Any thoughts?
And to be honest, the question floored me.
My desire is to see people saved, by the one whom saved me, Jesus Christ my Lord. I also feel that God has gifted me to minister about Jesus to those who are lost, as I also feel he has equipped all of us to minister in our own ways about Jesus.
But does this become an answer to the question? Is God truly calling me into ministry?
On the surface, and in part, yes it does. As Jesus, in what is famously called 'The Great Commission', has instructed us to go out and make disciples of all nations.
But what about life service? What about actually becoming a pastor of a church, a leader of the flock?
How can you know?
I'm not sure, but a few things that were made clear to me:
Firstly
John 12:24-26 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."
It needs to be a daily commitment. Death to yourself, follow and serve Christ.
My friend said that each day is the same prayer 'Lord, that you might use me for your good and perfect will, and not my own will."
Secondly
God's call to ministry starts yesterday. Generally speaking, There is no starting point, there is no defined beginning and end to someones ministry, but it is something they have a desire to do, and ministry is the natural progression from that, by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Thirdly
There will be refinement, and there will be challenges and trials.
2 Timothy 4:5 "As for you, always be sober minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Any thoughts?
