As a minister, it’s fine to STRETCH yourself. It’s good to break the limits. And it’s both important and compulsory to burn the midnight oil.
In the pursuit of God’s call upon your life, you will have to pay the price of diligence to make your calling and election sure (2 Pet.1:10).
You must be diligent in prayer and also in the ministry of the Word (Acts.6:4). You must find out the specific details of your assignment and give yourself wholly to it.
No room for busybodies in ministry. And there’s no place for lazy folks in ministry. You must LABOUR WITH GRACE to ensure that your calling and ministry see the light of the day (1Cor.15:10).
You must ensure that you cooperate with God so that the assignment doesn’t die in your hands. This requires a level of discipline that is beyond the ordinary.
Bishop David Oyedepo tells us often that “No outstanding minister runs a normal schedule”, and I’m thoroughly convinced that this statement echoes the sentiments of spiritually-balanced ministers and also it’s in sync with Scriptures.
If you don’t STRETCH, your ministry will be limited. If you don’t STRETCH, you will only operate below the capacity of God’s grace upon your life.
However, there’s another twist to this revelation. In a bid to STRETCH so as to become all that God has called and ordained you to be, DON’T EVER OVERSTRETCH YOURSELF.
You see, there’s a difference between STRETCHING and OVERSTRETCHING in ministry.
STRETCHING entails and encompasses everything I have said above, but then OVERSTRETCHING is a different ball game.
The Dictionary defines OVERSTRETCHING as doing more than you’re capable of. This is where you will need some level of balance, Beloved.
Never OVERSTRETCH the grace of God upon your life. Rather, MAXIMIZE that grace.
To OVERSTRETCH in ministry is to operate beyond your measure of grace and also beyond the jurisdiction of your calling.
This leads to fatigue, tiredness, breakdown of health, depression and sometimes it may actually cost a minister his own life.
In a bid to make a full proof ministry, DON’T OVERSTRETCH YOURSELF, and I can say that A MILLION TIMES.
Don’t operate like a superstar; know your limits and know your boundaries in the call.
You can only believe the promises of God and labour faithfully in that direction but you can’t bring anything to pass. That is in God’s power. So, DON’T KILL YOURSELF FRIEND.
You can’t do everything in ministry. For example, none of us can pastor the whole Body of Christ; Jesus is the Pastor of the Body of Christ, because He’s the Head of the Church — all of us are under shepherds under the Great Shepherd.
So, find out your own sphere of influence and area of jurisdiction and discharge the responsibilities of your calling.
In a bid to produce results and give everyone the impression that they’re not struggling or failing in ministry, some ministers operate beyond their measure of grace today, and deep inside them, they know that they’re going too far.
They do things that OVERSTRETCH them, and put strain on their time, energy and resources, and while they may be applauded by undiscerning folks on the outside, they know deep within them that they’re “dying” on the inside.
The solution? Be secured in your calling. Define success early in ministry in line with Scriptural indices and parameters and don’t ever be under any pressure to perform.
Yes it’s okay to STRETCH yourself but NEVER OVERSTRETCH yourself. Remember that as a minister, you’re a GOD-PLEASER; not a MAN-PLEASER.
I leave us with the words Bishop Mike Bamidele:
- ”USE WHAT YOU HAVE.
- GROW GRADUALLY.
- DON’T ENVY ANYBODY.
- PRAY THAT GOD WILL SUPPLY.”
That’s one of the greatest pieces of advice I have ever come across in ministry.
May the Lord give us understanding.
Amen!
YADID DAILY DEVOTIONALS