It is crucial for ministers to remain faithful to their calling. It is easy to become distracted or discouraged, but by remaining focused on your mission and relying on God’s guidance, you can effectively serve and make a difference in the lives of those around you.
One of the most well-known examples of staying on calling in the Bible is the story of the prophet Jonah. Despite initially trying to run away from God’s call to go to the city of Nineveh and warn the people to repent, Jonah eventually obeyed and carried out his mission. In Jonah 3:3-4, it says, Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, ‘Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.’
Another example is the story of the apostle Paul, who faced many hardships and persecutions as he traveled spreading the gospel. Yet, he remained steadfast in his calling and continued to preach the word of God. In Acts 20:24, Paul says, However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
It is also critical for ministers to remain rooted in their faith and trust in God’s power to fulfill their responsibilities. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, it says, But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Ministers must also avoid getting distracted by other interests or activities and maintain their commitment to their mission. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, it says, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Staying true to your calling as a minister is essential for effectively serving and making a difference in the lives of those around you. By relying on God’s guidance, staying grounded in your faith, focusing on your mission, and being persistent in the face of challenges, you can fulfill the call that God has placed on your life. As the Bible says in Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
MAY GOD HELP US ALL, IN JESUS MIGHTIEST NAME!
Yours In His Service
C. C. RAYMOND
