When a beloved father in the faith said that God told him that the last 40 years of their ministry is nothing but wilderness experience, we all wondered what he meant. To some, even if he retires now he has done a lot. But to him, the journey to the promised land is just beginning. Here is a reminder to you that no matter what you have done, this is not your rest.
Friend, don’t rest yet! This is not your rest. God has just started with you. Don’t end a journey that has not even started. Don’t be complacent. Don’t be proud. Don’t live in comparison. Someone else’s destination is your own starting point. Now that the ministry is growing, invitations here and there, testimonies everywhere. This is not your rest.
Now that you have made your first million in that business, opportunities opening up for you everywhere. This is not your rest. You have finally gotten the scholarship, you are now fully enrolled in that institution of your dream. This is not your rest. Now that you are married, no more pressure of “when will I get married?” You think you have finally settled? Listen, don’t settle. This is not your rest.
“Arise and depart; for this is not your rest…” (Micah 2:10). Learn to identify the rest God has chosen for you. Samson rested on the wrong laps (Judges 16:1-4). Elijah rested at the wrong time (1Kings 19:14-18). David rested at the wrong time (2 Samuel 11:1-5). Don’t give room for complacency (Amos 3:1). Don’t have an arrival mentality (Philippians 3:12-14).
Even at old age, God wants to renew your youth like the Eagles (Psalms 103:5). Don’t rest yet. There are more lands to conquer (Joshua 13:1). There are still more territories to cover (Joshua 14:6-12). There are a lot of young people to mentor. You need to wisely and strategically pass on the baton; don’t just drop it, don’t put it in your pocket. Success without a successor is a failure.
What about your children and grand children (Isaiah 8:18)? Will you leave them empty and bereaved of divine revelation? What can you still do to salvage their destinies and position them for an enviable future in God? (Deuteronomy 29:29). We don’t retire in this Kingdom, we only change gear, change approach/style and refire! We don’t stop “doing” until Christ comes or our time here on earth is over. We would die empty. This is not your rest.
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria