God still puts wisdom in the mouth of babes!
Papa Hagin once shared an experience where he went to preach for a young minister ( a young Pastor who was far younger than him in ministry) The young man was nowhere to be found in terms of ” RANKING ” when compared to Papa Hagin but he was a sound Pastor.
Papa Hagin said people began to come to this young man for counselling, talking about several cases and he said when he overheard some of the cases that were brought to this young man, he wondered how on earth he was going to handle them, because even he himself could not handle them according to him. And then it happened, the young pastor began to deal excellently with each of the cases by Pastoral wisdom . Papa Hagin said when he heard the depth of wisdom that was poured forth from the young man, he broke down in tears because even he himself could not have handled those complex cases like this young Pastor.
The moral of this story is ” DESPISE NO ONE IN MINISTRY ” or even in life.
“Age is age and age is grace”
The young man stood in the office of a PASTOR while Papa Hagin stood in the office of a TEACHER, yet the former was far younger in ministry than the latter. We must realise that IN MINISTRY, GOD’S GRACE IS PACKAGED IN MEN and we must recognize GRACE for what it is. In this part of the world ( Africa) we emphasize AGE alot but it must not be at the expense of GRACE. You see precious people, AGE IS AGE AND GRACE IS GRACE
I operate by a principle in ministry and that is ” ANYONE CAN BLESS ME ” as far as they are genuine ministers of Christ. It’s my observation that GREAT LEADERS ARE GREAT LEARNERS. King Solomon was the wisest man in his time and he was an ardent learner to the extent that HE LEANT FROM AN ANT. Proverbs 6:6-11. God is a God of diversity and He Has deposited diverse graces in men for our lifting.
ECOSYSTEM
Whatever you are looking for, JUST GO GET IT. Go to them that sell it. Mathew 25:9.
9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
Tradition is dangerous. Religion is deadly. They will keep you on the same spot. The pharisees saw Jesus as a young man but that was their Messiah. It got tough to an extent that Jesus had to tell them emphatically, before your father Abraham was, I AM. John 8:58. Case closed!!
58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Please don’t misunderstand me precious people;
Age might have its place. Maturity obviously has its place in ministry. Experience also has it’s place in ministry. But in it all, we must recognize THEM for WHAT THEY ARE and also recognize GRACE for WHAT IT IS in ministry. May the LORD help us all .