By Evang. Taiwo Afolami
DISCOVERING YOUR PLACE IN LIFE AND MINISTRY
Text : Luke 2:49
Introduction Anything planned for has a space to fill. Man was not created out of joblessness but out of purpose. The creation of all creatures was pleasing to God not as liability but as value. The world is too wide for man to walk without direction. The ministry is too critical for anyone to assume roles and position without clarity. If we must be relevant, then we must know where to be and how to be there. This topic is to show us the reality of having a role to play in life and ministry which is uniquely different from every other person. We could have the same assignment but our contribution differs. Discovery is identifying, seeing, knowing of place and purpose that had been hidden or unseen for some reasons.
Definition of Terms
A. Life is the reality of creation with beauty of fulfilling purpose.
B. Ministry is the call to serve, become responsible on behalf of God to people.
C. Your Place: This is the role that require your uniqueness only despite the relevance of other people. We can call it the reason for creation. St. Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” This chapter reflects the quality relationship between Jesus and His earthly parent. Jesus was responsible and obedient to his parent. We saw how passionate his parents were in seeing Him but the light of the verse are the words of Jesus, knowing where to be and why.
There are five keys that can help man to discover their place in Life and they are:
1. Understanding the Value within: Jesus understood the value he is carrying and knows that it is more than walking around the temple or seeking for help. He understand that such value must have a special place for manifestation. We understand the value within by first of all knowing what value is. VALUE is quality skill, potential, knowledge and many more that are needed in making impart to the society. Jesus knows the value of the Word he carries. He knows the living power that is within. When you understand the value within then you will search for your place. Value dictate the place of responsibility. We must understand the value within to become the value in our environment.
2. Humble to Learn: Discovery of place in Life involves learning. We learn to know more. Our place in Life might be new to what we are use to. Humility is a great key to discovery. It is good to aspire to be a medical doctor but knowledge brings aspiration to reality. We must align our value within with required knowledge that we may be well positioned for greatness. Knowledge can never be accidental in discovering your place in Life.
3. Study men that have carried similar vision: It is true that no place is new on earth. Our approach and roles could be unique but there is nothing like new place. The place you are aspiring have once been the desire of someone else. Seek to study about those ahead of you. Know their encounter on such journey. Be historically vibrant to your dream. Joshua’s role in the life of the Israelites is different from what Moses did. They were unique in their time but Joshua studied Moses. Studying people ahead of you is not arrogant or bad but wise in understanding what you aspire.
4. Be ready to face Tough time: Your place will not come cheap. You can see a vision without stress but you can’t see the reality without facing tough times. You must be mentally, physically and spiritually ready to face challenges. Challenges could be lack of support on time. Challenges could be several things. Planning to succeed without preparing for tough time is a waste of preparation. No one discovered their place in Life without having a story to tell.
5. Be connected to the support you need: You can be knowledgeable and lack help. We all need help in one area or the other. You need help to discover what is hidden. It is an act of ignorance to say you do not need help. Potentials need help to be discovered. Our place in Life requires help to be known. Life and ministry can be connected but they are different. A man can be successful in life and be a failure in ministry. This topic is to equip us in discovery our place in Life and ministry.
There are four keys to discovery of place in Ministry:
1. Know the source of Ministry: we must know the source of ministry. The source of ministry is Jesus. Without Jesus Christ no one can talk about ministry. Our discovery starts with knowing Jesus Christ. Ministry does not exist without Christ. The act of finding relevance in ministry outside Jesus Christ is like looking for how to steal from the owner. We get to understand our call to ministry through Jesus Christ. We cannot search what we do not know. We cannot search for what we have not heard. Knowing Christ is the first key to discovery of place in Ministry. People can accept you even when you are at the wrong place. The acceptability of people does not guarantee the relevance of your place. Our point of relevance is first, knowing Jesus Christ. When we know Him then we can see through him. When we know him then we can be of him. When we know him, we can become Him. When we know him then we speak like him. Finding our place in ministry is finding our place in Christ.
2. Total submission and obedience Jesus Christ: It is true that many people can come your way to encourage you and advise on what you need to do but any support outside submission and obedience to God through Jesus Christ is a waste of time. Ministry is not about us but about Him in us. We must submit to Him be seen as Him. We must understand that we do not have potentials that can replace Him. His role in ministry discovery cannot be hidden. Psalm 127 reveal to us that anything called Ministry without God is a waiting disaster. We do not minister anything outside His influence.
3. Determination to remain in Him: Spiritual relevance is simply remaining in Him. As long as you are in Him, you are value to the world. You must be determined to remain in Christ. Some men felt their relevance was power but they lost it. Your commitment to prayer without obedience to God cannot sustain your relevance in ministry. Your passion for the Word of God without obedience to His Word is a waste of time because it cannot yield any positive result for long. Anyone that is relevant in ministry is a great potential in life. The value of work in ministry is far above our relevance in life. Any life without ministry is a shadow of identity. We have not become anything if we have not discovered ourselves in ministry.
4. Be selfless to demand of progress: Any progress in any area must have witness selfless commitment. It is not enough to speak in tongue, you must also be active physically towards discovery. Progress will require so much sacrifice. Time, food, knowledge and many more will be required from you as commitment to growth. St. Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Jesus remember his purpose of birth and kept to it. He understand the roles he need to play in his father’s house and more importantly the timing. The timing of your manifestation might not be pleasing to man but must be pleasing to God.
Conclusion
Discover your place in Life and Ministry now. Be intentional about your search for growth and be very committed to it. Do not talk about God when you cannot obey his words and discover your place in Him.