SWIM IN YOUR OWN LANE, GIVE IT YOUR BEST, AND NEVER GIVE UP!
A number of years ago a pastor said to me, "What you are doing in your ministry is very easy. I can do it too. I can put up a platform, advertise, have a million people in my meetings and see miracles!"
I said to him, "Brother, I am sure you could do it far better than me. You are far more eloquent than I am. You are third-generation Pentecostal and are blessed with a far better heritage and pedigree than I am. I am sure that you could do this far better than me. But here is the catch - I am doing it and you aren't ! We can only successfully do that which God calls us to and gives us the grace to do".
The Bible says "A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven". John 3:27
We can only do that which God calls, commissions and anoints us to do. We minister not out of our own abilities but out of the measure of grace that the Father choses to bestow upon us. What God calls us to do is not a matter of our own merits, abilities, preferences or choice, but of His will alone. Where we DO have a choice however is that we can GROW in our knowledge of God through His Word, grow in our faith and in the anointing of God, so that we fulfill our calling in a more effective and fruitful manner.
Many of us have a tendency to look at others and think that what they are doing is more fulfilling or lucrative. The grass always seems to be greener on their side of the fence. With this attitude you may ultimately find yourself despising what God has put into your hands, and wishing that you were somebody else. With such an attitude we will never find true joy and fulfillment in serving God.
So do consider the following things:
1. God has called and anointed you to fill a certain place in His purpose. That is what He has graced you to do. Embrace your calling with all your heart.
2. DO NOT compare yourself to others. If you do so, you will either fall into the ditch of condemnation or of pride. None of these is good for you. Be content with what God has given you to do.
3. Grow in your personal faith through the Word, and in prayer. This way you will grow in the measure of God's anointing upon your life and you will be more fruitful and effective.
4. Develop in your personal fellowship and closeness to our Lord Jesus. Be a worshipper. Draw close and spend time with Him.
5. Watch others who are doing what God has called you to do and are walking ahead of you. Follow their faith. Be close to them. Learn from them by association. When you are in the presence of those who are used by God more than you are, learn to be quiet, watch, listen and learn. If you open your mouth, do not do so to voice your opinion, but do so to ask questions so that you can learn.
6. DO NOT listen to armchair quarterbacks and experts who have never carried a ball in their lives.
7. Listen only to critique from those who love you, pray for you, support you, and encourage you. Ignore negative people and professional criticizers.
8. Be FAITHFUL to your calling. Refuse to be discouraged. Remember that some of the greatest heroes of faith have labored faithfully their entire lives without seeing much tangible fruit from their labors. Many of them even felt like failures - BUT the generations coming after them have reaped the fruit of the seeds of faith that they had sowed.
Sow from the perspective of Eternity. Remember that we labour not for earthly evidences of success, but we sow seed, preach the Word, and labour for God to please Him and to do His Will.
Originally posted on Facebook by Pastor Christopher Alam