I saw a movie with my younger daughter recently. In the movie, a pastor went astray, fraternizing with the devil to succeed in ministry; everything seemed to be booming. One of his friends, who knew what he had done, came visiting him and said these words; “You are really doing a great work.” My daughter responded; “How is he doing a great work, someone that is sinning against God?” I was touched by my daughter’s sense of rightness and wrongness.
Friend, how does God measure a great work? How does He measure a great life? This is an important question that we need to provide scriptural answers to, especially in our generation where a lot of things are going on. A lot of things that men are applauding, Heaven may be weeping over, while a lot of things that are not popular today are powerful before God (Luke 16:15).
Always remind yourself that what is popular may not be powerful with God. What is trending may have nothing to do with divine purpose at all (John 5:41-44). If you don’t know how to judge your life and work in the light of eternity, you may be running in vain (Philippians 2:16). You don’t want to get to the end of your life on earth only to discover that you have wasted it (Isaiah 49:4).
A great life or work is one that stems from a revelation and pursuit of divine purpose (Acts 26:19, Philippians 3:10-14). Nothing is great if it is not lived according to God’s plan. The first requirement for a successful life is to get it right and get better. It is not first about speed or getting ahead. It is about running your particular race, remaining on track, and playing by the rules (Joel 2:7-8, 1 Corinthians 9:24).
Some people are doing a great work before God, but because of lack of public recognition or applause, they treat it with levity. That your work is not visible to men does not mean that God does not see it (Matthew 6:6). If the heart that pumps blood into our body attempts to appear in a selfie, the body will drop dead. The heart is doing a great work, but it is not visible. It does not make noise. Yet, it keeps the whole body alive. What are you looking for? Visibility or divine approval; noise or impact?
The fact that men are celebrating an error does not make it right. The fact that a practice is bringing results does not mean that God approves it (Numbers 20:7-12). If you would last in your God-given purpose and assignment, you must keep your focus on your calling and your caller (1 Corinthians 7:20, Hebrews 12:2). Whatever you do under God is great; whether it is building the wall of Jerusalem like Nehemiah, clothing widows like Dorcas, or reaching the unreached like Philip (Nehemiah 6:3, Acts 8:4-5, 9:36-42).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria