2Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
John Newton was a slave dealer before he met Christ. He was the composer of the popular hymn, "Amazing Grace". He was an acquaintance of William Wilberforce, a human right activist. William Wilberforce was seeking counsel on his going into pastoral ministry. John Newton advised him against venturing into Pastoral ministry. "You need to spend your life doing one thing, the thing God has called you to do and that you feel, in your heart is necessary", John Newton said. Upon hearing this advice, William Wilberforce dedicated his life for the abolition of slavery.
Fifty years after his struggle for abolition of slavery, in 1833 while he was on his death bed, a messenger whispered to him, "Sir, the abolition has been approved!". This gave him a relief and few moments before he died, he remarked, "I finished well". Apostle Paul finished well because he fulfilled why he came. You see, some believers are busy with what they are trained to do not what God has called them to do. There's a difference between the two. Our calling is our purpose, it is our life assignment. We cannot finish well in life if we don't discover it. Training only make sense when it is in line with our calling. William Wilberforce almost made the mistake most people are making today. He knew there was a special assignment for him but he thought it was Pastoring.
Many have launched themselves into the popular and they missed the peculiar thing God has for them. As far as God was concerned, his mission on earth was to be at the fore front of slave abolition. Pastoring is good but it wasn't perfect for him. Today, what some understand about ministry is Pastoring. Being in ministry is more than founding a church and preaching on the pulpit. There are certain callings that may take you outside the church. Some are called to be administrators. Spend time in God's presence to know the specific assignment he has for you. Read John Newton's advice.
Father, I receive the grace to discover my calling so that I won't run another man's race In Jesus name