I’m reminded of the story of a great man of God who worked with a famous Evangelist in his ministry. The Evangelist would just preach a salvation message while the man of God would come up after and pray for the people with diverse miracles, signs and wonders accompanying his prayers. Suddenly, pride began to set in; he would consider himself as the backbone of the ministry of this Evangelist.
This great man of God once said; “The day I leave this Evangelist, that day will mark the end of him and his ministry.” One day, in a crusade he was to minister, he didn’t show up purposefully, which happened to be the last time they ministered together. The Evangelist waited, waited and waited for him yet he didn’t show up.
Frustrated and disappointed, the Evangelist mounted the platform fully depending on the Holy Spirit this time. And guess what? God used him mightily that day in miracles and that marked the beginning of his ministerial success. The supposed great man of God went into oblivion afterwards.
Friend, God can do with you. Unfortunately, you cannot do without Him (John 15:5). I think most people unconsciously read that statement in the reverse. They read it to mean; “I can do without God, but God cannot do without me.” How mistaken they are! Listen, the ealier you realize that God can do without you the better for you (Romans 11:17-20).
When you begin to see yourself as the backbone of the work of God or the reason others are succeeding, you are on the fastlane to destruction. At best, we are all mere servants privileged to be part of what God is doing (Luke 17:10, 1 Corinthians 3:5). Knowing that God can do without you should make you humble. It should also make you to adjust your attitude towards God’s work (2 Corinthians 4:1-2).
God’s work has always been done before you were born and it will continue longer after you are dead. Never take credit for what God is doing (1 Corinthians 15:8-10). Never see yourself as the financier of God’s work. Never see yourself as the pillar of the Church. Jesus remains the Owner and Doer of His work. We are simply labourers together with Him by privilege (1 Corinthians 3:9). God always has His remnant in every generation (1 Kings 19:18, Romans 11:5). God can do without you. Stay humble.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria