DERAILING FROM PURPOSE

In the early days of our ministry, a senior minister I hold in high esteem told me that what I'm doing will still metamorphose into a church. He spoke like someone giving counsel not by prophecy. If he had spoken from a prophetic insight, I may have given it a second thought but I recognized the source of his counsel. He probably felt being in ministry automatically must translate into pioneering a church. Actually, I've seen this abberation over the years. Those who should be on the field or run an independent teaching ministry starting a church. I met another person who pledged to support me if I start a church. He told me that young guys of my age that pioneered churches are making it and doing well. Probably, he looked at my condition and he felt my life will improve if I become a church founder. He couldn't wrap his head around seeing me going on evangelism to villages and bushes where I won't get fat offering.

If God has called you to do something for him, one great enemy you must fight is counsel that will distract and derail you from fulfilling your assignment. Often, such counsel come from trusted friends and families. Those who care about you. Actually, they always mean well when they present their counsel. However, their counsel may not align with God's purpose and will for your life. When Jesus came to the earth, they wanted to make him a king: "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself"( John6:15). The Jews thought to themselves that their liberator had come because they were under the rulership of Romans. Who knows if the elders of the land had consulted with Jesus about their intention to crown Him their king. They may have told him not to worry about his ministry as His kingly role won't affect it. He stuck to his guns. That's why you and I are beneficiaries of His atoning work.

Be sure of the pattern God gave to you for life and ministry. After receiving the pattern, stick to it: "Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain"(Ex25:40). Once you derail from the pattern and instruction given to you, many will suffer from your disobedience. You will always fight the enemy call "Good Counsel". I am in no way saying you shouldn't listen take counsel or submit to mentors. The point here is that "good counsel" may not necessarily be God's counsel. What you need is "Right counsel" that aligns with God's purpose for your life. Beware of counsel that derail from God's purpose.