I once heard one of our foremost ministers of the gospel in Nigeria say that if the first time he received the mandate for their ministry was the only time he ever heard God on matters of their ministry, they would not have been where they are today. According to him; fulfilment of divine vision requires a steady and progressive journey with God. I learnt a major lesson that day.
Friend, fulfilling your high calling requires a progressive revelation and a continuous press (Philippians 3:12-14). It also requires a high level of sensitivity. This must be the reason John the Baptist had to spend a lot of time in the wilderness praying and fasting to enhance his sensitivity; he must not point the wrong person as the Messiah (Luke 1:80, John 1:28-34).
Fulfilling God’s highest purpose also requires a daily obedience to divine promptings and instructions. No one can fulfil God’s highest purpose, who is not quick to obey God. Actually, we have not been called to succeed. We have been called to obey. Obedience is our calling; success is only a bye product of obedience (Job 36:11, Isaiah 1:19). Our obedience must be daily, prompt, and complete if we would ultimately fulfil our high calling (Genesis 22:1-3).
We must not be carried away with success as to lose relevance with God. The subject of success is not an issue with God. Sometimes, the devil can allow you to ‘succeed’ provided it would hinder you from fulfilling your highest calling (Luke 4:5-8). God gives us success as a platform for the fulfilment of His purpose for our lives. You can succeed on earth and lose relevance with God, but if you have and maintain relevance with God, you are already a success.
To fulfil God’s highest purpose for your life, you need to constantly examine your life and activities (2 Corinthians 13:5). Most times, people start well but end up pursuing the wrong things. They exchange what is God for what is good. They exchange relevance with God for success on the earth. You don’t want to get to Heaven only to discover that you have not even scratched the surface of God’s plan for your life (Joshua 13:1).
Don’t wait till your final days on earth to review your life and activities as that would have been very late. Our lives and activities must be reviewed, if possible, on a daily basis. We must not work or walk in assumption (Revelation 3:17-19). We must be doubly sure and certain that we are pouring our life and energy pressing into what really matters to God and His purpose for our lives. This is our ultimate calling and destiny. This is what makes us relevant with God in and for eternity. May the Lord help us!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria