COMPASS DEVOTIONALS AT 10 (3): NEVER CHOOSE THE GIFT OVER THE GIVER
As the readership of the devotional writing began to increase in the early days of writing, I made a shocking discovery – I was under the burden of performance. Even when I did not have my devotion, I was still struggling to write so that people could read.
When I realized, I would release a note that I was taking a break. I would repent before the Lord. I would also spend time praying, renewing, and sharpening my focus. I did it shamelessly. It was better for the readers to have nothing to read than to pretend that I still had some “deep revelation” flowing from the Lord. That season strengthened me. I honestly believe those decisions led to a greater flow of the grace to write and bless others from God.
There is always the tendency to place so much emphasis on the gift while we replace the giver. It is possible as a minister of the gospel to lead others in prayer while you do not have a personal altar of prayer. It is easy to pretend like Samson that God is still there when he had actually left one to his pretence. When God leaves, he does so quietly while the vessel still keeps making noise.
I saw the structure for proper impact in the life of the Prophet Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 3:10 NLT
Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.
The Lord said to the minister, “Let the Word sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself”. That is my lifetime guide. I must study to eat and grow and never because I need devotionals to write or a sermon to preach.
He then gave the marching orders in the next verse:
Ezekiel 3:11 NLT
Then go to your people…and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’
I have nothing to bless lives with if I have not spent time with the Lord. Ministry must be from an overflow. Where there is no overflowing, there is nothing to bless lives with.
It is when this pattern is in place that I can then secure the partnership of the Spirit of the Lord.
Ezekiel 3:12 NLT
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard…
This has been a God-flow for the past ten years. Without this structure of putting the giver before the gift, there will never be the grace to write and be a blessing.
To God alone be all the glory.
temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa