ZEAL WITHOUT HUMILITY

In the early days of the calling, I was ready to work hard, and I believe I did. I even told an elderly person that “Soon, we would have a great multitude in church”. I believed it but I was only relying only gifts and abilities. I felt pastoring was about the ability to speak well. I had zeal but the journey humbled me.

There are great pastors who are not necessarily great preachers. They can tend, nurture, guide, and gently lead the sheep into greatness. They carry the sheep at heart.

Beloved, when you sense the call of God, please be zealous. Performance is at the mercy of zeal. It takes zeal to have performance.

Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:7 NKJV

It speaks of increase.

It speaks of order.

It speaks of establishment.

It says they all will happen because something called “The zeal of the Lord” is available.

The called must be zealous. However, the called must also be humble. There are heights that did not open up until I learnt to draw the wisdom available in spiritual fathering, and also honour intentionally those who have laboured in the land before me. They may be old, but they knew certain things. I listened and learned. They prayed over us each time we honoured them as a ministry. Humility is a game changer.

This is the pattern from the Book of Job:

 And though you started with little, you will end with much.

Job 8:7 NLT

How are you going to get into much? The answer is in the next set of verses:

“Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old.” Job 8:8-10 NLT

Moses was zealous. He was leading millions of people but ten counsels of Jethro preserved him from pressure and maybe untimely death. Be zealous but also be humble.

David was anointed to replace King Saul, but he still served the man that he was called to replace. Be zealous but still be humble.

Samuel was called to step into the priesthood of Eli. Even though he had God speak about the termination of Eli’s priesthood, he did not hijack the priesthood. Be zealous but also be humble.

Our Lord Jesus Christ knew that he was sent to deliver the world (including John the Baptist) but He still suffered it to be so. He was baptized by John the Baptist. Be zealous but also be humble.

Absalom in his zeal thought he would do better than his Dad- King David. He ran for a while. He burned like fire in the wild, but he vanished easily like smoke without a trace.

Be zealous. Burn passionately but be humble. May your zeal not become a trap. Be humble.

© temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa