Some time ago, while preaching in Church, my wife made a statement that touched me deeply. She said; “When my husband told me he was going full time with the ministry, I knew he must have been led. He was not trying to escape work. I have always known him to be very hardworking; he would juggle different jobs with pastoring those days in Lagos.”
Friend, what is your understanding about life and labour? Some people see work as a punishment while others see it as the manifestation of the curse. But well-taught Christians know that labouring is part of the manifestation of the Covenant. The kingdom of God forbids idleness. God is never idle, Jesus was never idle while on earth (John 5:17).
The reason a lot of people would not be profitably engaged is because they are looking for who to hire them (Matthew 20:7). The truth is, you need to hire yourself before others can hire you. You need to be productively engaged with the business of life and destiny if you hope to get opportunities out there.
Work has been designed by God to help us release our potential. When you are not working or are underworking, you would be frustrating the greatness that has been put inside you by God. Isaac did not become increasingly prosperous by accident or default; he planted crops, and he laboured (Genesis 26:12-14).
You must provide platforms for the spiritual blessings you have in Christ to manifest tangibly in your life via prodcutive work (Proverbs 22:29, Ephesians 1:3). Your life would be filled to the extent of your labour (Proverbs 24:30-34). Whoever does not work must not eat (Ephesians 4:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:10).
A young lady in our church moved from being a volunteer in an NGO to becoming the state coordinator of the NGO. Rather than waiting to be hired, hire yourself. Volunteer somewhere. Add value. Be productively engaged. Your next opportunity would meet you while working (Ruth 2:1-5, Amos 7:14-15, Matthew 4:21). Amen.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria