My spiritual father once shared his experience with us while starting out in ministry. Most of the people that God sent to him were young people with little or nothing to offer at that time. But he would spend time pouring and investing into them.
Some of his minister colleagues at the time wondered why he would spend time with small people. Today, those small people have become great people, shouldering the work of the ministry with him. I learnt to value the people that God sends to me.
Friend, you need to value your people. Every vision is tied to people (Proverbs 29:18). But most times, the people of your vision will not look like the future of your dream. You need to learn how to produce the people of the future from the people of today (2 Timothy 2:2). This is where leadership comes in. True leaders don’t lead followers. They raise leaders.
A lot of people want ready-made people. But true and lasting success or legacy is in making great people out of seeming little people (Isaiah 60:22). How would you test your leadership capacity if you don’t take the challenge to work with small people? Like David, when we see what you make out of the people that God sent to you, we can tell how much of a leader you are (1 Samuel 22:2, 1 Chronicles 11:10-11).
Ready-made people sometimes come with ready-made problems. It is difficult to unmake and remake those who are already made (Acts 16:16-18). It is a blessing if God gives you raw people. It is also proof that you have got what it takes to raise them. Rather than asking, why me? You need to thank God it is you. It is a divine test and trust. Can God trust you with people?
Be a people raiser. If you are an employer of labour, raise people. Train them. If you are a pastor, stop looking at another congregation wishing you had the men and women that they have. Sit with your people. Invest in them. Jesus started with the least likely set of people, but they ended up as mighty apostles (Matthew 4:19, Mark 3:14).
As a young man, stop looking for a ready-made lady to marry. Make a commitment to God that you will invest in whoever He leads you to marry (Isaiah 51:1-2). As a lady, can you build with a man and ensure he becomes the man of your dream? One woman made a vow to God that if her husband fails, God should hold her responsible (Proverbs 31:11, 23). Value people. Invest in people. It will pay you later!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria