Looking across the many things the Lord has led me through, I realized that I was not fully prepared for most of them. I must admit that if there was anything people would call “success” where I have served it was not of my doing. The only time I would come close to success was due to my desire to be obedient to God’s call in my life.

I remember as a young person telling my pastor, who had been the only pastor I had known in my life, that I felt God leading me to work in media. He looked at me and said, “Why would anyone want to work with equipment rather than people?” Not exactly the most encouraging words. Or the time I graduated from college, and my main prof asked me what I would now do with my degree in Radio/TV/Film. Others were heading to on-air radio; some were beginning a career in television directing and producing. I said, “Whatever it is, I want to see people’s lives changed.” I think I just got a blank stare from that prof.

As I think of those early days…and many to follow…I contemplate where I would be if I had simply listened to what others thought instead of sensing the Lord’s direction. It would have been a vastly different story.

My friend and mentor Dr. Henry Blackaby was speaking to pastors on the topic “The Pitfalls of a Leader.” In that message he caught my attention (as he usually does). He talked of the church he pastored in Canada, one I visited many years ago. He told of the various accomplishments of the church and then admitted he didn’t have a clue how to lead the church to do those things. Then Dr. Blackaby said, “If I had taken inventory of my gifts, I would never have attempted what was needed.” And to the ministry leaders, Henry Blackaby said:

“One of the great pitfalls for the ministry is to take an inventory of your gifts and then base your ministry on those gifts. Let God decide what He wants you to do, and He will equip you for whatever He assigns.”

Jesus said we are to deny ourselves, take up His cross, and follow Him. If we launch out into ministry based on our own strengths and talents, guess who gets the credit? We do. If we are simply obedient to God’s voice and launch out trusting Him for all that is needed, it is obvious to us and those all around us that the Lord is the one who deserves the credit for the blessings that flow…for the lives that are changed.

We get into the midst of tough days of ministry, and we think we just need to try harder. We need to work harder. We need to read more leadership books. We need to set aside time to get a fresh vision for our ministry.

My friend Dr. Jack Graham says, “Trying harder is not God’s plan. Trust Him. Rely on the Lord’s resources, not your own.” You can try and over-try. And become exhausted from the human effort. That’s not what God intends. Trust God. Jack Graham said it well. “You can’t over trust the Lord!”

I know…you have some pretty strong questions.

“What happens to my ministry if I do this?”

First of all, it is not your ministry. It’s God’s ministry. Just trust Him to do for His ministry what is needed to accomplish His purpose.

“My staff and stakeholders are looking to me to set the vision.”

Why are you setting the vision? As Dr. Blackaby told those pastors, “The servant doesn’t have a vision. The Master has the vision.” Our role is to be obedient to that Master and work to accomplish His vision. His vision. His glory.

This might be a good time to get with the Lord in prayer…and seek His word and His way for His will…in your life and in the ministry where the Lord has placed you.

God’s best…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]