Finishing strong in the ministry – Part 1

Today, we shall conclude our series on The Call of God with a two-part article.Paul said to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (Col. 4:17). To be called by God is one thing, and to fulfil your ministry or calling is another. Many were called of God, but failed in their ministry. Some start well but finish poorly. May you start well and finish strong.

To finish strong, you must take heed to certain wise counsel. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of Counselors there is safety.” The counsels are:

Stay focused to your calling. Don’t you ever abandon your ministry for another. Saul failed because he left his calling as a king and ventured to do a priestly ministry. The Levites were charged with the task of attending to the tabernacle of God among the other tribes of Israel. It looked strange that any member of any other tribe of Israel, who volunteered to assist with the ark, faced the risk of death (Num.1: 51-53). Each tribe kept to its responsibilities.

Seek God’s face for a vision and keep to it. Every successful venture starts with a vision. Your vision defines your direction. You must be able to articulate what your vision for ministry is. Your vision creates the rallying point for all who will identify with you. Your vision differentiates you from others. Like Habakkuk counselled, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry” (Hab.2: 2-3).

Know who has called you and stay focused on him. A good soldier stays focused in the battlefield and refuses to be distracted. Paul said to Timothy, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim.2: 4).

Maintain constant intimacy with God, if you want to succeed in ministry. Intimacy with God in prayer is the foundation for a successful ministry. When Christ chose twelve disciples, their first priority was to be with Him, and secondly, to receive power for service (Mk.3: 14, 15). Daily, Jesus set aside time to be with His Father, to know his mind and thoughts. Hence He testified, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do; for whatever he does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does; and he will show him greater works, than these, that you may marvel” (John 5:19,29).

Always seek God for fresh anointing and revelation. We all grow through revelation knowledge. Those who are hungry for God’s presence get fulfilled, but the self-satisfied he sends away empty (Lk.1: 53).

Constantly upgrade yourself through reading. Every minister of God must keep abreast with knowledge through constant reading. Seek for knowledge along with your chosen profession. You are a product of what you read and how wide you read.

Live a Holy life. Holiness is indispensable to a meaningful walk with God. The author of Hebrews says it all, without holiness no man shall see God (Heb.12: 14). Contact: pastoracukachi@hotmail.com