Surrender Your Ministry to God

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

A friend of mine from Bible College days, had a strong desire to be a pastor. Through the years, he worked in youth ministries, as well as summer camp ministries and alongside of several pastors in different churches. He was well liked and faithfully, with his wife and children, volunteered his time. He was a pastoral candidate at several churches and was “nearly” selected by a couple of them, but the position was given to someone else. To this day, as far as I know, he has yet to serve in any full-time capacity as a senior pastor. 

At times, it’s hard to understand or accept the Lord’s “assignments” for our lives. We may have a clear idea of how the Lord should use us and, if the truth were told, we’ve probably explained the benefit it would be if only He would do it our way.  It’s strange, isn’t it, when things happen that prevent us from using our giftedness in a way we believe would be in God’s best interest? Experiences like this often lead to deep discouragement. 

There’s a story in the Bible about this very thing. It’s found in Mark’s Gospel, chapter five. It concerns a man who was delivered from demonic activity. After his remarkable deliverance, Jesus got in a boat as He prepared to leave the area. The man came to Jesus and “begged” Him to take him along in ministry. It’s quite apparent that he wanted to follow Jesus [Mark 5.18]. Jesus, however, had something else in mind. He said, “No” to the man’s request, which I’m sure was quite confusing. 

Jesus did have something else in mind. He thought it best for the man to return home to tell his family and friends about how merciful God had been to him and how He had been delivered. 

It must have been difficult for him to surrender his “ministry assignment” to the Lord and to say, “Not my will, but Your will be done!” That’s why it’s critical that we don’t lean on our own understanding [Proverbs 3.5]. 

If you know someone like this, here is what I suggest that you do: Go to him/her and remind them how good God is and how He is using them in Kingdom work right where they are. 

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Mark 5.18-19