Ministry has been defined, redefined and misdefined by many people across ages and dispensation. Many people have began their journeys of ministry and many people have finished their journeys of ministry. While many people have succeeded in the work of ministry; a good number of people are struggling day-by-day. They struggle daily, not because God is not faithful, but partly because they are ignorant of their God, and partly because they are ignorant of themselves.

Before we understand God's idea of ministry, we must first note that God is in heaven and like it is written; He does whatever pleases Him. Part of what pleases God is the state or well-being of the earth and its inhabitants. While God resides in the heavens, He rules over the affairs of men on the earth - and He does that through other men. The other men are not "special men" as it were; but they are men who have encountered their purpose of living and have embraced it completely.

God is so much interested in what happens on the earth daily; yet, He is God, He is not Man - For He had handed the dominion of the earth to man (Genesis 1:26). What God does now is to seek for men among men who would represent His will and purpose on the earth. Such men do not have to be popular, rich, tall or outspoken; they only need to know their God.

According to the book of Daniel 11:32, the Scripture says that the PEOPLE who know their God shall be strong, and they shall carry out great exploits. True strengths are not really hereditary or inherited; rather, they are sourced at the place of consistent encounter with the Lord - the Maker of heaven and earth. No wonder, everyone that forsakes all else and chooses to stay with Jesus Christ and fellowship daily with the Holy Spirit usually end up becoming extraordinary. In short, ministry is not for extraordinary minds, but for the transformed minds - minds that the Spirit of Christ has changed overtime in the place of fellowship or discipleship.

The earth was created by God at the beginning as the place of His praise, but as soon as darkness came in and overwhelmed the earth; the earth became void and formless. No wonder, at the intervention of God, God simply called for the light to come forth. Ministry is not about the megaphones, but about a shining light. Remember, when John the Baptist came, Jesus referred to him as a "burning and a shining light". The idea of God about ministry about light and lights that shines among men on the earth. What is the need of light in the light, and what is the role of light in the darkness? Light does nothing else in a dark environment other than brighten up the atmosphere. Ministry is simply a divine errand to the earth, which makes men shine among men for the glory of God.

Isaiah 60:1-3 spoke very prophetically, "Arise shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, but the LORD shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you. Gentiles shall come to your light and their kings to the brightness of your shining.

The people of the world, in fact, including many "professing Christians" are in gross darkness. The LORD is not care less about their situation, His purpose is to raise men up among them, whose mandate will not be to shout around daily, but to shine around daily. Ministry is not for the special elites, it is for every willing and burning light; whose brightness is evident to all. Apostle Paul told Timothy to study very well so that his progress will be evident to all. Shining is not enough, it most be an increasing shining: For the path of the just is as of a shining light that shine brighter and brighter onto the perfect day.

The will of God is that men will become lights everywhere He sends and plants them. His agenda is to infiltrate the cultures of men with the lights He has raised up for His praise. Ministry is not about money making or fund-raising; effective ministry is about making a real impact in societies and cultures where God sends and plants one. You could be a civil servant, and yet a minister of God: as long as you daily shine the glorious light of the culture of the Kingdom of God in your office, He is pleased with you. You do not need a "pulpit" to minister, you only need a life to live. God is counting on your life, marriage, business and organization to represent His will in that neighborhood. Like Apostle Paul said to Timothy, I say to you, "Make full prove of your ministry.....do the work that God has created you to do.....live the life God has birthed you to live....say the words God raised you up to say......design what God fabricated you to design.....write the books God instructed you to write......sing the songs God inspired you to compose....lead the people God equipped you to lead and serve the people God saved you to serve."

Ministry is not about you, nor is it about your strengths and weaknesses; effective ministry is about God and His will among men, which necessitates your service and your diligence in total dedication and humility. May the LORD who has called you into His glorious hall of relevance, help you to discover His perfect will for your life and to fulfill it by his grace and wisdom. Amen.

 

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Gboyega ADEDEJI!

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