THE TESTS IN THE CALLING (3)
In the early days of church work, we had our midweek service. There was no one on ground to set up our venue. I took up the task of cleaning and setting up the chairs. I did it with all joy while I also prayed for the service.
While I was cleaning, the Lord said to me, “Do you know the time is coming when you would not have to do this yourself again? Others will be doing it on your behalf.”
At that moment, I began to rejoice. You need to see the speed with which I began to clean and work. My morale became high. At that moment, I sensed a silence from the Holy Spirit and asked why.
The Lord said to me, “Son, are you doing it because a time will come when others will take over, or you are doing it because you love me?” Ah! I repented. I told the Lord that I loved him and my focus would always be him.
Pass the test of putting the first things first. Let nothing take the place of the Lord. As the called, you must be careful that you do not get caught in the trap of replacing the love of God with the rewards from the Lord. It is a dangerous slope.
For instance, in the calling, you can begin to preach for honourarium. It will be easier to commercialize your calling. You just realize that you only go to where you are celebrated and not where you are commanded. Do you still ask whether you should go or not?
I have encountered ministers who would say things like, “If we do not go round like that, how will my family survive. It is the honourarium that pays my bills.” The reward has become their idol. God picks and pays the bill. Honourarium can never pay the bills. It can be a means. It is not your source. Fight that dangerous thought!
Be a God lover. Let your heart pant after him. Be ready to do as He bids you. Let your eyes not be on mundane things. They are additions.
I love how the Children’s Bible express it to us:
Matthew 6:33 ICB
[33] The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you.
What is the thing you want the most?
Is it God?
Is it the Kingdom?
Is it the additions?
Realign your heart now!