Years ago, one of our young men relocated from one of the major cities in the country to our dear state. According to him; “God told me to come over to Akure and join you.” Within few months of his relocation, everything turned around for him. He has been on an upward and forward journey since then.

Friend, your pastor determines your pasture. You are not struggling because life is hard or the country is difficult. You may be struggling because you have not located your God-ordained Church family and pastor. The job of the sheep is not to look for pastures, it is to follow the shepherd. It is the sheep that is led that would be fed (Psalms 23:1-6).

There is the mystery of divine connection and the danger of satanic disconnection that you must be aware of. God does not normally disconnect us. He can separate us for a time and season, but He never disconnects us; separation and disconnection are two different things (Acts 13:1-2). You must recognize that person in the Kingdom for whose sake the Lord has blessed or is blessing you. More often than not, it is that person you would have the biggest reason to disconnect from (Genesis 13:5-9).

“Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other” (Genesis 13:11). Lot needed Abraham more than Abraham needed Lot. Abraham is the reason for Lot’s prosperity and not vice versa (Genesis 13:2, 5). You need your pastor more than your pastor needs you. A pastor is a calling carrier, a covenant carrier and a grace carrier; when you are rightly joined to your God-ordained pastor, you would begin to function in these realties.

When God brings you to Church, He does not just give you a seat in Church, He gives you a spot in the pastor’s heart. Let your pastor know you. You must ensure that you continually bridge the gap between you and your pastor. Don’t allow geography, job, busyness, Church issues etc., to cause a separation between you and your pastor. It is not the pastor’s job to ensure that you are close to him, it is your responsibility. You are to do the following and do it dutifully and correctly (1 Corinthians 11:1).

“For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers…” (1 Corinthians 4:15). Be a son or daughter to your pastor. Don’t posture as a younger or elder brother (1 Corinthians 16:12, Philippians 2:22). Your pastor would be friendly with you but he is not supposed to be your friend. God gives you a pastor as a father, a feeder, a coach, a pacer, a trainer, a leader etc. You need to unlock all these dimensions of ministry as you follow intelligently.

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria