I heard the story of a pastor whose grown son was sick. He prayed fervently for the child’s healing to no avail. Then he asked God why. The response he got taught him a valuable lesson: “Your son is grown up; tell him to use his faith to get his healing.” That’s when the pastor realized he’d allowed his children to overdepend on him.
Friend, learn to do it yourself (1 Corinthians 13:11). Move from overdependence to taking full responsibility for your life. This is what growth is about. If you keep outsourcing your responsibility to another, that person is growing at your own expense (Galatians 4:1-2).
The beauty of parenting is raising sons who can stand on their feet and do life (Psalm 127:3-5). No parent is happy when they keep doing things for their children after a certain age. *That child becomes a liability rather than an asset, a burden instead of a blessing (Hosea 13:13).
Like parenting, the purpose of the five-fold ministry offices is to equip the saints to do life and ministry (Ephesians 4:11-14). If you keep expecting your pastor to help deal with the issues that you should deal with, you won’t grow. We are to learn from our pastors rather than constantly leaning on them (Jeremiah 3:15).
If you are blessed with sound pastors and parents, maximize it for your personal growth (Matthew 17:14-18). It may not always be there. If you are still staying with your parents, use the opportunity to grow your financial life so independence won’t be a nightmare (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Like the boy in our opening story, life will make demands on your journey and training (1 Samuel 17:32-37). If you are under a sound and prayerful parent or pastor, it’s because God wants you to develop yourself in prayer and the Word so you can replicate what you have seen and experienced (Philippians 4:9). An end must come to spectator Christianity.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria