Vessels In God’s Hand

I bring you greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May heaven’s light reflect on you and perfect that which need to be perfected in you as you read this edition of Christ The Light Journal, trusting that the Holy Spirit of God will give understanding and positive conviction of this topic.

“The word of God came unto prophet Jeremiah: arise and go down to the potter’s house”, in order to show to Jeremiah the power of the potter over the clay. Jeremiah 18:1-4.

The shaping to size (either big, small, tall or short) of the pot is at the prerogative of the potter and his wishes, to which the pot has no power to object nor determine how it is being made or designed. So here, God as the potter made and designed man according to his purpose, of which man has no choice nor objection. However, the good news is that God made everything beautiful and perfect to the usefulness of His glory. Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Our Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry appointed twelve disciples, out of which three were in his inner cycle of intimacy, while others, both male and female served as useful vessels at various capacities. Scripture recorded that these men and women of faith had tremendous contributions to Jesus’ ministry via teachings, encouragements, fellowship, hospitality, and provisions; maximally sharing in his pains.   

You could be useful as a vessel to God in any form depending on the aspect or area you have been predesigned or predestined by God “Before I formed thee in the belly I know thee and before thou comest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” Jeremiah 1:5. The understanding you need as an individual is to be at the exact place the Lord has ordained you. It is more rewarding and honourable to be fulfilled as a sweeper than to be wasted as a Pastor.

To be a vessel in God’s hand has nothing to do with our positions, be it a Pastor, Deacon/Deaconess, Usher, Church Officers, Prayer Warrior, Church Clerk, Church Vestry, Church Cleaners, Church Wardens, to mention a few; but our continuous faithfulness in stewardship. There is an interesting story in the bible where three servants were given pounds to trade with. The servant who got ten pounds traded and gained another ten while the one with five pounds added five more; interestingly the servant with one pound buried it. It is noteworthy to say that should the servant with one pound had traded with it, he would have gained at least one pound, but he chose to waste his God-given resources. (See Luke 19:12-27).

As every part of man’s body is relevant and useful for one purpose or the other, so it is in the vineyard of God; what you deem fit to be little is highly cherished and celebrated in heaven if faithfully handled, appreciated and utilized. Romans 12:4-8.

YOUR FOCUS AS A VESSEL IN GOD’S HAND

Never has there been a time or period where the devil is in league with a man who is determined to do the will of God. Such a fellow becomes his prime target and will not rest until he frustrates and renders such life miserable, but the ability to keep the center of one’s vision puts one at advantage over the devil.   “For I am persuaded that, neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height , nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39.

Taking a brief look at the challenges of Apostle Paul, a co-labourer in God’s vineyard, some of the agonies he encountered, and which were conspicuously written in virtually all his epistles to the saints, but through it all, he overcame by the grace of God and his own determination. On the other hand, all the apostles, including the women and men who served under the ministry of Jesus Christ were all challenged in one way or the other but were able to keep the center of their vision which is the love of Christ in them.

Jesus Christ, who we all believe, kept his vision to save the whole world, even before grave agony and pains, he stayed focused. Mark 14:34-36.

It takes years to build a vision, but few minutes to pull it down. Many pastors and workers started great, with a strong spirit of revival and passion but could not pull through because they lack focus. Focus will help you build a wall against every distractions that comes in form of relationships, friendships, and perhaps sponsorships, which eventually becomes fire extinguishers to your life.

These fire extinguishers could take the form of anybody. For instance Job’s wife categorically told him to “curse the Lord and die”, but Job referred to her as “a foolish woman”. (Read Job 2:10). There are certain situations that requires a great deal of bluntness in response or dealings with people around us because someone you claim to be above you, or your beneficiary could be a source of your failure, if absolute care is not taken.

Jesus said “Watch and pray”. Watchfulness and being prayerful are the most potent tools for overcoming the devil. The most important and effective time to pray is when you are so weak, tired, sick or not having the urge to pray. Such moments are the most effective times to pour out your heart to God in prayers and supplications.

AS GOD’S VESSEL, BEWARE OF THE PRAISES OF MEN

As humans, we feel happy and elated when people commend our efforts, and going forward, we do repeat the set of things that earned us the initial commendations. Taking a cue from Jesus, on several occasions the Pharisees and other sects came to him with flattering lips but under the subtle guises of commendations, Jesus on the other hand knew right at the start the intended follies of their minds, coated with deceit; hence he gave no room for their manipulations. Jesus did not seek people’s commendations though he was extremely friendly, accommodating and down-to-earth in all his dealings.

Similarly we are not to aggrandize ourselves with people’s praise, but that of the Holy Spirit’s instructions. People praises on us are the major causes of the problems we encounter as pastors and church workers in the house of God. Do not get this wrong, there is virtually nothing wrong in receiving feedback or opinions of some of our services in the Lord’s vineyard, but not to be moved by these reactions, because some of them are mere flattery are increases carnality and makes us just to be men pleasers. The ripple effect on the church is that it limit the movement of the Holy Spirit in the church; and the absence of the Holy Spirit in the church can lead to the following.

• Pastors working in favour of some certain individuals in the church,
• Pastors preaching for people’s interests and to people’s satisfaction,
• Overriding the main vision with people’s ideas,
• Divisions amongst the members,
• Fighting for positions and superiority,
• Intimidations between members, church officers, church workers and Pastors,
• Prioritizing money and financial gains over salvations of souls,
• Insecurity and misappropriation of Church funds,
• The church becomes a place of mere tradition,
• Extreme and inordinate power tussle, etc.

“And unto the angel of the Churches in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the star; I know thy works, thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” Revelation 3:1.

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN 

In the year 2000, I was posted to Isanlu, Kogi Sate, Nigeria as a Pastor, to oversee one of branches over there. As a naïve and inexperienced young man, fear gripped me, urging to take a wrong step to the extent of changing the transfer to Bethel African Church, Cathedral, Lagos. The night preceding the day I was to receive the new posting letter, something unusual happened, as the Holy Spirit of God tormented me throughout the night, waking up with restlessness and pains all over my body. After discussing this experience with my friend, Venerable Abiodun Oluyinka, and we agreed to honour my transfer or posting to St. Joseph African Church, Isanlu Kogi State Nigeria. To God be the glory, I was able to faithfully serve both in my Parish and the diocese at large. To crown it all, I am still enjoying the result of that singular act of obedience till date.

When God called Abraham out from his kindred to an unknown place, he was fearless and took his journey without wavering. Though, he encountered challenges and trials but he scaled through the hurdles and vercame, victoriously; thus confirmed by God as a stalwart in the hall of faith. (Read Hebrews 11:1-end).

Joseph was sold by his blood brothers as a slave to an unknown destination. With all that happened to him, he was fearless and trusted in God for an accomplishment of his greatness.

Job also believed God for restoration of all he lost. There are some situations in life that makes man fearful and terrified, but the ability and grace to hear God talking to us saves us from the devil’s dungeon. In Jesus Christ we find the perfect model of obedience. “And he said, Abba, father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me; appropriately not what I will, but what thou will”. Mark 14:36.

One of the profound things I learnt from the testimony I shared above, is Obedience is profitable - in all things. As pastors and workers in God’s vineyard, simple obedience to God is very key in our Christian growth and development, as no one can be appropriately sanctified without obeying God. When we obey the Lord in all things, we can live a life of joy, deeply rooted and confident in the Lord.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” 1 Corinthians 3:1-13.

TEN POSSIBLE SEED OF FEAR                     

• Fear will limit your ability to stretch out,
• Fear will limit your vision to self,
• Fear will turn you to man’s puppet,
• Fear will make you a coward,
• Fear will make you an ordinary man,
• Fear will keep you in bondage,
• Fear will rob you of your blessings,
• Fear will make you the devil’s agent,
• Fear will turn you to be an empty barrel,
• Fear will keep you silent in all godly decisions.

Arise and take your positions as Vessels in God’s hand!

May the peace of God abide with you continually.