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?
2 comments:
This is something that I think about all the time (whoops, hello hope ur well :D). I have had a desire to be a missionary ever since i was little, however i wonder sometimes if this is actually Gods will for my life or if its just me, having a travel bug and glorified views of mission work because of stories i have read? I still am unsure. I am contiually being challenged tho about the fact that i am called to be a "missionary" now in my hometown, my family, my friends, uni etc...i cant keep saying im too busy now to talk to ppl, or im too shy etc but think that as soon as i finish my degree and go overseas im going to be able to do it. make sense? i think u said similar when you mentioned that ministry starts yesterday and thats so true...so all im left with is trying to live out my life atm honouring God, standing and speaking up(which i dont do all that well) and trust that God has great plans for me!! Altho i do believe that if we are following Gods will and being obedient he will give us the desires of our heart and i believe that he has put these desires in my heart for a purpose...well hopefully :P. Neway this didnt really answer or say anything particular but im just mentioning that ur not the only one who feels this way.
beck :)
Hey Beck..
Cheers for reading this blog.. I haven't really got it crunching yet, but it's good to know I have a reader! Yay!
It means I'll be motivated to write more. :P
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