The story began a while back. Our family was on our way to visit with some friends at their home. My daughter Sarah, who was four at the time, was sitting behind my seat. She and I were having a conversation about what she wanted to be when she grew up. The conversation ended when we arrived at our friends' home...or so I thought. The next day, while eating lunch, out of the blue Sarah asked: "Daddy, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Of course, we all laughed. I tried to explain to Sarah that daddy was already grown up. Of course, that discussion was just about as profitable as my discussion with her about the concept of time (see post, "Is It Still Today?").
At the age of 15 I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. Although I did not have all the answers and did not fully understand all it would entail, I knew that God was calling me to serve Him in ministry. In fact, I recall telling my dad at that time that I felt God wanted me to be a youth pastor. This was probably due in part to the impact that one youth pastor, Jerry Barber, had on my life. It's hard to believe that 26 years have passed, but as I look back I can recall with thanksgiving the many ways God has allowed and enabled me to serve Him these many years.
Thinking about this question posed by Sarah makes me think of a message Paul had for Archippus. It is recorded in Paul's letter to the believers in Colossae. Paul instructs the believers to tell Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it" (Col. 4:17, HCSB). Apparently Archippus was not fulfilling, or completing, his God-given ministry so Paul challenged him to stay focused and accomplish the ministry to which God called him. Every believer in Christ Jesus has a ministry to fulfill right where God has placed them. No, it may not be serving as a pastor, or as a missionary, or for that matter, serving in any full-time ministry; but if you are a Christian, God has gifted you and given you a ministry. He has also enabled and empowered you to carry out the ministry to which He has called you. The question is, do you know what ministry God has called you to, and if so, are you paying attention and faithfully completing your ministry? If you're not sure what ministry God has called you to, then pray and speak with your pastor. If you have not yet done so, you may also want to take a spiritual gifts assessment to learn what spiritual gift God has given to you. The important thing is to learn how God has gifted you and then discover your God-given ministry and serve Him faithfully. I can tell you, there's nothing more rewarding in life than faithfully fulfilling the ministry to which God has called you and empowered you!
1 comment:
Robert, great post. I remember hearing God whisper His calling for me to be a pastor at about the same age, but the cares of this world choked it out for for ten years. I've always wondered what it would have been like if, as with you, I had grasped His plans for me back then. Regardless, God still had me end up in His will. He's good about that, you know. Love ya, brother.
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