WHOSE AGENDA? YOURS OR HIS?
A Soldier on active duty wants to please his command officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules. The farmer who has done the hard work should have the first share of the harvest. (II Timothy 2:4-6)
As children of God, with anointing and calling into various ministries, more often than not, we tend to fumble on how we place our loyalty. The scripture pointed out that even though we are in this world, we are not of this world. Let's not forget the circumstances that led to the fall of the first king of Israel, Saul.
"And Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and your words: because I feared the people, and I obey their voice." (I Samuel 15:24)
That was after God had told him what to do when an enemy invasion occurred. Saul seemed to have forgotten that in the first place, him becoming a royalty had to do with God's choice and anointing. The people only requested for a monarch, the people never really choose Saul. It was God who choose him as King and put His unction on him. (I Samuel 8-10). He was primarily accountable to God. He knew what God expected of him yet he allowed himself to get overwhelmed by what the people are saying, or will say or think. He is an example of a soldier on active duty but did not please his commanding officer because he got mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. This led to him being rejected by God as King, and was soon replaced with David (I Samuel 16).
David was an individual who endeavoured to please God and do what He wants regardless of what anyone says or thinks. He cared little about what anyone thinks of him when he gets involve in that which pleases God. Once, he joined the common folks in dancing wholeheartedly to the glory of God while celebrating the return of the ark of covenant. Even though his wife considered the king's actions as shameless and classless, God found it delightful (II Samuel 6).
Does it mean God does not want us to care about others? No. Rather, when it comes to pleasing, there is need to set our priorities right. Even though we mingle with people, our ministry is meant to reach out to people, and be of benefit to lots of people, that does not mean we have to be men-pleasers. We still have to please God. He is the commanding officer. He is the one responsible for our calling and anointing.
Receiving a call from God is like being asked to participate in a race. An athlete running a race has to know the rules. At times, athletes do get disqualified even after making a good start. It may not have anything to do with speed. It may not have anything to do with injury or taking banned substances. An athlete's potential and performance may be undermined if he or she does not take cognisance of the rules. Avoid disregarding specific instructions when dealing with God and his calling. Are you involved in His calling or ministry? Then, endeavour to understand what strings are attached to it. When on the track, avoid pretending as though there are no dos and don'ts. Take cognizance of them and avoid acting as though they do not exist. Else, you are risking disqualification.
Understand what conditions are attached to the functioning of your ministry. When God ordained Samson as His instrument, he left at his disposal the kind of anointing that gives him physical strength. But he did not just give him a ministry and anointing. There are certain things Samson was expected to do and not do. When he failed to obey the specific rules that went with his calling and anointing, he pulled the plug on himself and was soon down the drain. Of course, an athlete who runs a race without obeying the rules jeopardizes his chance of winning the prize.
Unless the path of obedience is followed, a ministry may not be resulted-oriented. God reserves the right to withhold some anointing, miracles, signs, and wonders if the level of obedience to His rules as it relates to your anointing is not adhered to. Understanding what God wants is very important. His rules may seem outlandish and somehow inconsistent with the expectations of the society, culture, tradition, academics, family, peers. The issue is not that the norms of the society, culture, tradition, etc are bad. No. Just that they may not necessarily apply to your calling and ministry. They are good for everything else other than the proper functioning of your ministry. They may prove acceptable as member of the community but they may not hold relevance to your status as a child of God. They may prove conducive to being recognized as a bona fide member of the community but they may undermine your anointing and ministry. They may prove expedient in terms of membership of the community but they may not be conducive to the functioning of the particular type of ministry you have.
His rules running conflict is not limited to norms of the larger community. It may likewise not rhyme with familiar themes in the religious circle. It is not advisable to attempt to use the rules relevant to someone else's calling and ministry to run yours. Even though it is the same God and the same Spirit that works in all, the callings do differ. The ministries might appear the same but the anointing bestowed on each individual comes in varieties and in degrees. They are not the same. It is still the work of the Holy Spirit, but they are manifested in different ways. Let's drive this point home with the following rhetorical questions. Is it advisable to attempt to participate in a track event under the rules of a field event simply because they are all sporting events? Is it advisable to participate in a 100 meters race under the rules of 400 meters hurdles simply because they are both track events? Likewise, is it advisable to use the rules of a teacher to run the ministry of an apostle simply because they are all involved in the work of the ministry? Is it advisable to use the rule of a prophet to run the office of a priest simply because they are all officials of the Lord? The chosen men of God in the scriptures have their callings but how many of them did God expect not to shave his hair, and abstain from wine like He instructed Samson? Fact is you've got to understand what God expects of you and of your calling. Stick to it whether you or anyone thinks you look cute or silly doing it.
Did the scriptures not advice: "Be not unwise, rather understand the will of God," and not just the expectations of others or the community. Leadership and inspiration by the Holy Spirit is very important. You may choose to be like Saul who rather than play it the Holy Spirit's way, played up to the gallery by entertaining the 'people spirit'. He decided to follow the path that seemed right to the people. Did the scriptures not warn that there is a path that seem right to a man but the end of which leads to destruction. Saul took that path and, of course, he paid the price.
Remember Jeremiah who had to abide by stringent and seemingly ridiculous instructions from God as part of the requirements of his calling? It got to a point He not only appeared stupid to the people, he actually looked stupid to himself (Jeremiah 15:15-21). After some period of compliance, he saw the need for a discussion with God. In his discussion with God, he reminded Him some important things:
"Remember that it is for your sake that I am insulted. You spoke to me, and I listened to every word. I belong to you, Lord God Almighty, and so your words filled my heart with joy and happiness. I did not spend my time with other people, laughing and having a good time. In obedience to your orders I stayed by myself and was filled with anger...... Do you intend to disappoint me like a stream that goes dry in the summer?" (Jeremiah 15:15-17).
Jeremiah pointed out that he did not spend his time with other people, laughing and having a good time. Is it because it is socially wrong to spend time with other people, laughing and having a good time? No. Of course, he could go hang out with his companions and party. He stood a chance of boosting his level of acceptance and popularity if he choose to make a party animal of himself. Some folks would have loved him for it. But instead he did not indulge in the passions of the flesh. He exercised restraint in areas where an average person would easily be off their guard. He did not give himself to the vogue the way an average person normally would have. Why? "In obedience to your orders......." he seemed to be saying, 'Lord, I could do otherwise, but no I did not. It wasn't convenient. No, it's not. But all the same I followed through your plans like a sucker. And see how I look so ridiculous all because I am playing it your way.'
It is convenient to approach God and ask Him to remember you when you know that you are going through ordeals in life while doing His will and walking the path of obedience. It gives Him strong reason and justifiable cause to intervene in His miraculous way on your behalf. He may have the power to send manna from heaven but was He under any obligation to do it? He may have the power to bring water out of rocks but does that mean He was under obligation to do it? Not quite.
Prior to parting of the Red Sea, Moses seemed to be saying to God, 'God, I was in Midian minding my own business as a shepherd. The next thing I know You gave me a call. If you hadn't given me a call, I wouldn't have left Midian. But I was obeying your orders. I didn't want to go to Egypt but You said I should go. I already told you that I stammer. I can't talk good but You said You don't care. Not being able to talk as good as I thought I should be able to didn't seem to bother You a bit. But You said it will eventually bring You glory. I told You I've got my own agenda but You ain't impressed. You remained adamant, You put Your foot down and said no. I went through frustration in the hands of the king of Egypt couple of times.' (Exodus 3,4,14).
When God says He's going to do something, the initial feeling of confidence is so reassuring and overwhelming one would think that He is going to do it in a jiffy. But then He does not always work like that. God works miracles and He does great things but they do not always have the word 'instant' attached to it. When God spoke to Moses, he probably felt uplifted and greatly assured. He followed God's plans but what He said He would do didn't happen immediately. Not much of a surprise, the people God sent Moses to felt so disappointed they almost lynch him. After going through series of frustration, what can be called a breakthrough was finally recorded, and the next thing you know, guess what? The Red Sea! At that point Moses seemed to be saying, 'God, ain't that cute? Very interesting, God. Very funny, God, very funny. Do You intend to disappoint me like a stream that goes dry in the summer?'
Why do you think God parted the Red Sea? Simply because He's got the power? Not quite. He may have the power to part the Sea but does that mean that He is under obligation to use the power to that effect? Rather, He felt obliged to move on behalf of His children at points when they face crisis while being what He wanted them to be and doing what He wants them to do.
So how did God respond to Jeremiah?
"To this the Lord replied, ".........The people will come back to you, and you will not need to go to them. I will make you like a solid bronze wall as far as they are concerned. They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you. I will be with you to protect you and keep you safe. I will rescue you from the power of wicked and violent men. I, the Lord, have spoken." (Jeremiah 15:19-21)
God seems to be saying, 'You made a good point. If you had been running your own agenda, you probably won't get into this kind of ordeal. But you got to this point because you are running My agenda. The need to heed you is identified. And here I come to your rescue. I've got work to do on your behalf.'
Did you notice the sequence in the references given in IITimothy 2:4-6. First, a soldier on active duty. Then, an athlete who runs in a race. Lastly, of farmer and harvest. A soldier on active duty stands the chance of loosing his focus if he gets involved in the affairs of civilian life. Involvement in civilian life will mean compromising the discipline and other values expected of a soldier. He will tend towards laxity and complacency. He most likely will let down his guard. How then can he put on all the armour that God gives him? How can he stand up against the Devil's evil tricks? How is he suppose to keep alert? Please keep in mind the verses in Ephesians 6:10-18. A soldier who gets involved in what is considered the trend in civilian world can not please his commanding officer. The scripture made it clear that we can not serve two masters; one has to be preferred to the other.
An athlete does not run in vain. His goal is to reach the finish line, and win the race (Philippians 3:12-16). A race is not won simply because he's got some qualities that made him such an outstanding competitor. After all,
"In this world fast runners do not always win the races, and the brave do not always win the races, and the brave do not always win the battles. Wise men do not always earn a living, intelligent men do not always rise to high positions." (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
Understanding what He requires of you as an individual, and adhering to it strictly is more like it.
The farmer has to brace himself up for hard work if he is to have a good harvest. Farming involves lots of inconveniences and labour. It's not easy but one has to keep going. More often than not, the tears of a farmer mingle with his sweat as he toils from dusk to dawn. But these are integral aspect of our calling. The heights of greatness are not attained by sudden flight; but while others slumber and party, they toil hard. It is stated in the scriptures that they that sow in tears shall reap with joy;
"Let those who wept as they planted their crops, gather the harvest with joy! Those who wept as they went out carrying the seed will come back singing for joy, as they bring in the harvest." (Psalm 126:5-6)
"Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. A person will reap exactly what he plants. If he plants in the field of his natural desires, from it he will gather the harvest of death; if he plants in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of eternal life. So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest." (Galatians 6:7-9)
The farmer who cultivates the soil; likewise, we have to cultivate the kind of lifestyle and habits that is conducive to His will and purpose. Our mind needs to be cultivated (renewed) as well. When we prove to be what He wants to be as soldiers, and we do as He requires as athletes, and when we live up to His expectations as athletes, then will the first share of the harvest be ours.
You might wonder: All these seem good (actually, it is good), but how do I go about it?
"Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help." (Ephesians 6:18)
These can be done "not by power nor by might," rather, through the activities of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind this message from the LORD:
"You will succeed, not by military might or by your own strength, but by My Spirit. Obstacles as great as mountains will disappear before you." (Zechariah 4:6,7).
On A Final Note:
Humanity has its own agenda. So does divinity. Now you have an idea why God tends to be stubborn in having His way no matter what it takes. Humanity may have its way. For as long as it does not conflict with the will of divinity. If they ever clash, one will have to bow to the other to have His way (Isaiah 28:21-29; II Samuel 5:17-20; I Chronicles 14:8-14; I Samuel 25:26-31)
God bless.
Yours
Adekunle O Majek'
H I A F E M
Of impact, quality and excellence
That's the Spirit!
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