“Bloom where you are planted,” said one of my friends to me as we were been chosen as student leaders back in high school. I really wished I took that advise back then but it’s never too late as I am using it now.
How does this relate to me? You might ask.
Well, I figured a lot of people might be asking if they should quit their job and go into a full-time ministry. Should I become a pastor, a missionary, a preacher, etc? So, I’ll like to share with you today what the Holy Spirit placed on my heart as I listened to a lecture on occupational health nurses and the various roles they play in the society.
As I listened, It dawned on me that there is a lot of work and occupation out there and NOT every Christian is necessarily going to be called to a full-time ministry but every Christian is called to ministry. We are all minister of Christ and we have all been given the commission to go into the world and preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. We should do this in our everyday life, at our workplace, at school, at home, etc. Ministry is a lifestyle. So, we all are in ministry in one way or another.
But think about this,
If all Christians were in full-time ministry, who is going to minister and bring the Word to the people in the occupational world, at the white & blue collar jobs, at the marketplace, at the 9 – 5 work, to the people working on the street, at the farm, at the mall, restaurant, hair salon, bakery, hospital, prison etc.? Who?
You must understand that:
1. You are where you are for a REASON. God needs people to work outside the church building, that way you can reach out to that brother or sister at your workplace and bring them into the church (body of Christ). We are called to go out not stay in the church building and wait for people to come meet us. So, don’t go quit your job or covet/copy someone else’s ministry, life and calling.
2. You are also where you are for a SEASON. King David is a great example of this. As a shepherd, David had the responsibility to take care of the sheep that were assigned to him. He guarded the sheep with care and compassion. He killed any animal that tried to come near the sheep. The experience as a shepherd was preparing David for a bigger position as the King of Israel where his duty is similar to what he did as a shepherd, to direct, lead and shepherd the people of Israel. The years of working at your current job and ministering to people daily are also very important for when you go into full-time ministry if God calls you to it. ” There’s a time and season for everything under heaven,” says the teacher (Solomon) in Ecclesiastes 3:1.
Don’t be miserable at your current place of work or phase in life. You are being pruned from the inside out. You are growing, you are learning important lessons. Be very faithful where you are right now. If you are not being faithful now, there’s no assurance that you will be faithful in a full-time ministry because more discipline and commitment is needed. God is the director of our path. So, don’t take matters into your hand by leaving your job and going into full-time ministry. Many of us are not even reaching out to people we see daily, yet we wish for a big ministry.
3. Ask yourself, “Why am I going into ministry? Why am I serving God?
Is it for the fame, popularity, and respect that seems to be attached to it?
Check deeply into your heart and be honest with yourself. I say this because there was a time I wanted to serve God just for the fame and popularity. I loved the attention great men and women of God were getting and I yearned for that too. Darling, If you are not true and honest with yourself, you are going to quit before you even start. You’ll be surprised at the amount of work required and various tests you will get into. A lot goes on in the backstage. A lot of commitment, sleepless nights, prayers, fasting, etc. For unto whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48).
Your reason for going into ministry should be because of your love for God and His people. You love God so much and you love His people so much that you are ready to dedicate your life and surrender your life to God’s calling and service. Ministry requires you to totally surrender to God. There are times, I just don’t want to do anything and I are just tired but the thought that there are people out there who needs to hear God’s word and the message He has given me pushes me to work. Until LOVE is the foundation of all that you do, ministry and serving God will be hard for you and you will quit. However, it can be extremely easy if love and passion is your motivation. Because you don’t quit or retire from passion ___Cornelius Lindsey.
Be overwhelmed with your love for God, love for others, love for the unbelievers, love for the believers, love for the people who criticize you, love for people who think that you are not qualified, etc. You must embrace and tap into the spirit of love (agape) within you and not the love of money or fame.
Listen, I am not trying to scare you from full-time ministry or ministry but I am trying to scare you from the turmoil you might be placing yourself if you quit your job claiming that you heard God’s call and you didn’t. When God calls, you step out in faith. Christians walk by faith not be testing God. Don’t test God. Be certain it is God’s call and not the selfish whispers in your head. God has a great and beautiful plan for your life. It is uniquely designed for you just the way you are. So listen to God’s command, pray fervently, study the word, seek wise counsel from Godly friends and step out in faith and love into your purpose.
4. If you feel at peace at your current place of work, then don’t quit instead reach out to the unbelievers there, serve and minister right where you are and bloom where you have been planted. Simply saying “Jesus loves you,” smiling, being nice, loving on people goes a long way. Don’t squeeze your face all day at work and call yourself a Christian. Your light needs to shine and bring glory to God. Many of us think you need to stand on a stage and carry a Bible to be a minister of God. No. Every Christian is a minister of God. We are His Witnesses. And you need to become a living Bible and be a doer of the Word. Your stage is right where you are. And, If you don’t feel at peace at your place of work don’t be quick to rush out either, pray about it, have a more open heart, serve and do your job with more love and serve as unto the Lord.
For the teenagers and young adults, please don’t wait till you get your degree, get a job, buy a house, a car, get married and give birth before you decide to get into ministry and start serving God and others. I was reading a book and the young lady said, “Many people told me this: you are too young to be serving God. You need to live your life now, party and enjoy. Then you can serve God when you are older.” My response to that is, “What exactly gives you the assurance that you will live to see tomorrow?” We are so quick to plan out our lives like it belongs to us. Please, realize that God wants to use you right now and you were born for such as time as this. You are not too young to win souls and spread God’s love and grace. Use that gift and talent that has been given unto you and serve God.
God Bless you
Eternally Loved,
Esther Ademiju
Growing God's Eternal Family 
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