A senior minister once saw me at an event. After the usual greetings and the likes, he said; “Pastor, please send me your account number, your ministry now qualifies for a seed.” That statement drove in a major counsel which is this; “at the beginning of most visions, you would not have the support you think you would need until after awhile.”
Friend, you need to realize and understand that as a visionary, you may not have all the supports you want to have at the beginning of your vision. But you need to make up your mind never to be discouraged or distracted by this lack of support. Rather, let it motivate you to prove your vision. Don’t expect too much from people. Let your eye be single (Matthew 6:22).
“…Make full proof of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). Most times, you are the only one that know that God has called you. You are the only one that see the vision and have the burden. Others may not get to see it until after sometime. They may doubt it at the beginning. They may withhold their support to see how viable what you are doing is. This is how human beings have been programmed to think.
Your job is to make full proof of your vision. It is to so much pour yourself into it that people would not doubt that God called you. This was why Paul told Timothy to “…give yourself completely to them that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:15). Some people will not believe in what you are doing until they see your progress. You have the responsibility under God to make your progress evident to all.
The beginning of most visions is always a lonely road. This is why we are encouraged to “…look unto Abraham your father and to Sarah that bore you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him” (Isaiah 51:2). God called Abraham alone. It seemed crazy when he told people he was stepping out into an “unknown future” (Hebrews 11:8). They must have waited to see him fail. But his end was that of blessing and increase.
While others are still doubting your vision, use that period to develop strong convictions and commitment to see it work. Don’t be afraid to stand alone at the beginning stage of the vision. Don’t be ashamed to start small. Never nurse offence towards those who look down on you and what you are doing. Let your heart be large enough to accommodate those who would later join you when they see your progress (Genesis 50:18-22). The vision will soon speak (Habakkuk 2:3). Amen!
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria