February 27

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service….” —EPHESIANS 4:11-12

Many people assume leading characters in the Bible were preachers, prophets, teachers or evangelists. Their work and faith in God were so intricately woven together that they could not work well without a vital relationship with God. Some believe that even today those in professional ministry are extraordinarily blessed with a sort of hotline to God that they are not privileged with.

Because we live in two different worlds, we have different issues to face. There’s the secular world, fraught with difficulties, temptations, responsibilities, hardships and compromises. But on Sundays it’s different. We may sit in church and there’s a wonderful sense in which we experience time with God, particularly because of His presence in the lives of those seated around us. That is not to be undermined, but if we believe going to church is coming into the presence of God, then what happens when we leave the church? 

There are many who go to work on Monday morning and believe they’re on their own. Some make countless decisions everyday and forget to ask, “God, help me with this. What is your will here? How should I proceed?” Sometimes pastors are responsible for this, because they can give the impression that their role is to get the congregation behind their vision, when actually it is the reverse that is true. It is the task of those whom God has called into professional ministry to get behind the people’s vision; to prepare and equip them, says Paul, “for works of service”. 

Most of the leading characters in the Bible were ordinary people; fishermen, farmers, shopkeepers, businessmen, musicians, military personnel, and all with weaknesses and failures as we have. God doesn’t set apart for Himself those in professional ministry while the rest of us play a kind of secondary role. He uses everyday people in everyday circumstances to bring about His agenda both in our lives and in this world.

The reality of God’s presence is not seen on Sundays alone, but throughout the entire week by bringing Him into our homes, our workplaces and communities. The role of professional ministry is to nourish and encourage us with the truths of Scripture so that our personal relationship with God is being nurtured by His Word. If we are in Christ, then we are extraordinarily blessed with direct access to God. We know we are where God has placed us for His purpose, and that brings a divine agenda into our everyday lives.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to bring about a divine agenda in my everyday life. May everything I do reflect your indwelling presence. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Throughout the week, am I bringing the agenda of God into my workplace, my home and community?