Colossians 4:17 *"And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you*"
I am glad I started ministry early. Technically, i've been in ministry from my campus days but I launched out officially after my service year as a young man. I have always known that i'll be a preacher because the hand of God has been upon me from childhood. It was evident to those around me.
As a student, I had my career dreams and I tried to be the best academically to brighten my chances in the labour market. I pursued those plans vigorously thinking i'll do ministry&my desired career alongside but God had other plans. The more I pushed for what I wanted, the more I felt a strong pull drawing me back to the main assignment of my life.
I can say that starting early has made me learn through the process. I suffered so many things especially in the early days but that phase is gone and cannot be repeated again. What many were avoiding is suffering but they forgot that it doesn't last forever. Also, the best time to go through that phase is when you are young and single. Those things only happen at the early stage of ministry and gradually phase out with time as long as one stays in the place of obedience.
The bible says, *"It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young*"( Lamentations 3:27 NIV).
At retirement, there are yokes you cannot carry any longer. There are burdens age will not allow you to execute properly because our bodies decline with age. Even Paul confirmed this saying, *"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day*"( 2 Corinthians 4:16). The outward man( our bodies) is a tool for expressing the Lord's purpose here on earth.
Some were called by God into ministry and they have full assurance God spoke to them but they decided to delay ministry until after retirement. Their best and productive years were used pursuing their ambition instead of God's purpose. The Holy Spirit keeps nudging them to pay full attention to the reason God created them but they keep postponing it till after retirement.
Those who put ministry as retirement plan fail to realize that God works with His own set time. When the time He set for a man to feature in His plan and purposes is not fully utilized, He will replace that man with another willing vessel while the other man is still alive. At retirement, some are sick and weak.
An aged man once told me he admired what I am doing for the Lord. He said what I am doing is his line of ministry but he has not been able to execute it fully but he has plans to start. When I saw him, I knew he had delayed for too long and his best years were already behind. With his grey hair, I don't know how he will jump from buses to bike and travel long distances like I do. He may collapse under stress.
I once listened to an elderly preacher who said If he had known, he could have started ministry at an early age. He is in his 70s now but he is regretting not starting on time. When you fail to start on time, you will be replaced. You may be alive but someone else will take the baton from you.
Do not let the fear of suffering push you away from destiny. It is better to obey God early and suffer early. It is only for a while, it doesn't last forever. In ministry, we don't repeat phases except we disobey. At retirement, you may not have the physical, mental and emotional strength to go through that phase when you are old. Ministry is not a retirement plan.
Father, I submit to your will. I obey you fully.