The men and women of God
Hebrews 13 vs 7
“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.”
Over the last few days I took a spiritual sabbatical and attended a camp meeting.
A camp meeting is more or less like a church conference, albeit secluded in the bush following from the festival of shelters as depicted in the Old Testament.
Various speakers are lined up throughout the day, and over the week, the cornerstone exercise is the sharing of the word. Over the last few days I have come to value the people who have been anointed with the spirit of ministry. I have come to appreciate the men and women who have made it their life to share the word as is proclaimed in the great commission, “go ye and make disciples of men.”
We don’t realise the burden that these people carry in their quest to change lives and bring about enlightenment. Every day they encounter a broken world and they seek to bring hope to people that are often devoid of hope. Ministry is an amazing calling that takes great sacrifice although the world has sometimes projected it as a glamorous profession where many have become rich through this calling.
The truth, however, is that being the interface between heaven and the earth is one of the most difficult tasks one can ever undertake to do. As I sat in the auditorium I listened to the opening speaker tell of the need for people to seek redemption and lead sanctified life that are pure and blameless.
At the end of his talk I felt uplifted, it was as if I had been given a new lease on life. He had expounded on concepts that I thought I knew but he had spoken in such a way that my heart and soul had reached a new understanding. I wanted to change and be better.
I began to approach the institution of the church, its structures and the people that minister to us differently, I saw them in a new light. We are all burdened and we all carry something or the other that we need assistance with. The world tends to offer us worldly solutions to our mental burdens.
When you go beyond the point that is manageable it has become the norm to call it depression. You are then recommended for specialist treatment where you are given all manner of drugs to remain balanced emotionally. Have you ever thought of those individuals who abuse substances as the basis of remaining high or to be in this semi-comatose status that keeps them afloat? They do all this in a bid to run away from the reality of life and its issues.
Are you burdened and heavy laden? Visit your local church and just sit and listen to the message. This experience is free and the only thing that is required of you is to listen and apply what is being said. If you are already a member of a congregation reflect on the therapeutic effect of the interaction that comes with fellowship, it’s quite amazing.
God is amazing, He knew that His people would search for the fountain of wisdom and peace and He created people who would be there to help, guide, lead encourage and teach them.
This week pray for your local pastor and your congregation. Pray that they may continue being the pillars of life, diligently fulfilling their God ordained commission to transform, teach and change lives.
If you can, visit your local church and use the experience to learn about God’s ways and His will for your life, the experience could be life changing.
Be blessed
REFLECTIONS OF A WORK IN PROGRESS . . . For more info: Visit our website: www.thefig-tree. org; e-mail us on info@thefig-tree.org; catch us on StarFM, Monday to Friday at 0620hours.