Decisions

Ruth 1:14-18 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

If you are in your 20s and 30s and you are reading this post, think about a time when you are 50+, what will you be then? How will life, work and ministry be like to you? Where will you be living? Abroad or in the country your in now? To whom will you be married to in case you aren't married currently? Will you have built a house or you will still be renting? Will you be holding a business or about to retire from a full-time job? Will you be active in the ministry or you will be in your farm tending to cattle and looking after grand children?

I remember asking some people when we were still at university in a mission team I was serving in. You know in the team it seemed like we are all on fire for the Lord, doing everything and anything the Lord instructs us. I asked a number of people that "will you still be actively serving God 30 or 40 years from now?" You know at university, many including my self got a Godly excitement of speaking in tongues, deep bible revelations, attended all night prayers, preached on crusades, etc. All these were activities which were on program. More to the activities, I envisioned myself in the ministry for life and I asked others whether I will see them serving God many years later. As we speak, some who never made such a decision are somewhere doing other things besides active ministry. Some allowed fate and circumstances decide their destiny.

Ruth decided to stay close to her mother in law Naomi after the death of her husband. Like Joseph, decide now that whether you are in your father's house with your brother's or in a dungeon or in a foreign land, you will serve God and looking forward to the dreams God gave you. Some end up in places so far from the church they are in and they conform to ordinary christian living because they never had a Missional purpose in mind from the word go.

The first most important decision was when you decided or decide to get saved. Second is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Third is a decision to serve God in the ministry, Fourth is whom to marry. Other key decisions are on the nature of work you do and where you are to work from, where you live before and after marriage. Some places you may work from or live may be so for from the church you serve in. If you cannot plant a church in a far place you go to, think twice before you move. Other decisions are daily like to read your bible, pray everyday, attend fellowship, read this blog daily,  to listen to sermons all the time, to read or listen to anointed books, decision to forgive and not hold grudges etc.

If you decide today that you want to serve God for the rest of your life, I am meaning things like starting Missional families, planting churches, spearheading the spread of the gospel in foreign lands, impact the world through music, media etc, you need to prepare to decide in a certain direction when the opportunity is not yet available so that when it arrives, you know what to do and don't need to first call your pastor or leader for advice. As a minister, decide well on who to marry and where you will the live after marriage.

You can marry someone who is into many things besides the ministry. Trust me they will influence you otherwise because you two are not looking in the same direction. The person may want to use Sunday for relaxing somewhere on the beach and yet Sunday to a minister is a working day! We need to maximize it by having Sunday services and after that hold several meetings with the sheep, visiting some who haven't come, hold revival services in the evenings etc. So don't marry because the person is beautiful or handsome, rich, but marry for purpose's sake. Does the person have a vision to serve God or they just want to have children, build a house and advance in career only? Being a church goer and a good Christian at your workplace is good, joining active ministry while doing those other things is much better.

On the decision of where to live, if you live somewhere and get so out of touch with church work and the brethren, your heart will be hardened to the things of God at one time. If all you think about are the pressures of work, marriage and nothing else like winning souls, fellowshipping, the gift you have and your ministry growth will be hindered. Ministry is like a fireplace, each time many pieces of wood are together the fire is much and there is mutual influence. Each time one piece of wood is taken away, the fire on that wood diminishes. Fire is the zeal for the things of God. There are times I don't feel like serving but am encouraged by those around me to keep at it. In the world I hear a drunkard if he's a member of a bar, can get drunk without any money in his pocket. Fellow drunkards clear the bill. Likewise we lift each other up to serve God but make the effort to keep around. Don't overly keep away!

If it is inevitable to work or live from somewhere far, stay in touch with the ministry you were serving. Technology has made things easier. Investing in a good smart phone and data will help you keep in touch with the Livestreams and online meetings. Stay connected to the anointing.

And when you are available and are serving God in a local church, strive to advance in the ministry. I tell my people at church that am mentoring all of them to be pastors one day! Desire the office of the  pastor. What do I mean? In the hospital, doctor's are the top authority figures when dealing with patients, on a building site it's the Engineer etc. Likewise the pastoral office is the highest office in the local church body. Desire to pastor someday or plant a church some day. How can you do that, by getting closer and closer to the anointing. Choose to be close and the favourite of the pastor. Don't miss leaders meetings,  prayer meetings, fellowships, be attentive when the Word is preached and make notes, join the media team which edits the pastors messages, join the writing department which pens down the ministry blogs, books and devotion's, follow the pastor wherever he goes for ministry, be among the shepherds who start Missional families, don't miss ministers trainings and retreats. Desire to serve in areas where you are being mentored in the word, doctrine and administration. When the opportunity to lead a department shows up, take it on gladly, it will sharpen your leadership skills. Now all these are decisions you need to make now; to seek the anointing and to be anointed.

However, I see some christians so unserious in seeking the anointing and advancing in their influence and leadership. When it comes to praise, they dance until they sweat plasma but the moment the word of God begins, you see people distracted by dosing, phone calls, others talking to their neighbours, others even move out of church frequenting washrooms, some don't attempt to write what is being taught! etc. All other things on church program are important, but decide not to miss the Word of the day by distractions. Everytime you hear of a conference at your church don't miss it for anything. It's a training ground for the future you look to.

Decide well today and it will shape your destiny.