Abraham, Moses, Mary and Paul are a few examples of how God fits people into his purpose; and when they discover God’s purpose it become their life’s mission. God designed a purpose to save the world and then fits Abraham into that purpose, God designed a purpose to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage; and then fits Moses into that purpose. God designed the virgin birth and then fits Mary into that purpose. And also when God designed to reach the Gentiles He fits Paul into that purpose. Purpose preceded people. None of these people decided this was what they wanted to do with their lives, but after they discovered that was what God had called them ‘to be’ it became their duty. Some people like Samuel, Samson, John the Baptist and even Jesus were born into an awareness of their destiny. They knew what God had called them to be and they grew into the development of their task. Their lives were powerful; not because they chased a powerful life but rather because they lived faithfully in obedience to the requirement of their assignment.The greatest pursuit on earth should never be the pursuit of a powerful life but a purposeful life!You are not on earth to create your purpose you are on earth to fulfill a purpose that God has already designed. It has been well said, that when purpose is not known abuse is inevitable. Which means your computer can’t cook your food, or that your mobile phone can’t put food into your mouth; because that’s not its purpose. Is your mobile phone greater in value than your spoon? It might be in production but not in purpose. They both have their purpose. We can never make ourselves into a shape God will use; God alone can make people into a shape he deems fit for his purpose. We are simply to respond to His divine call!

 

HEAVEN REWARDS FAITHFULNESS NOT SUCCESS:

 

Our rewards in Heaven will be based on how faithful we have been in our calling not how successful we have been on earth. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns” (Matthew 24:45-46) If God has called me and put me in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time; it will be good for me to be found faithful in that task. The servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns will be rewarded for being faithful. By giving the servants their food at the proper time I may be tagged successful by many people; but to me being faithful should be my objective. Success is not measured by the size of your congregation, or the size of your church auditorium, not even by the cars you drive; but by your faithfulness to your divine task.“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masters happiness” (Matthew 25:21) “Now  it  is  required  that  those  who  have  been  given  a  trust  must  prove  faithful”

(1 Corinthians 4:2) A thing is faithful, a life is faithful, a church is faithful, and a nation is faithful when it serves God’s purpose in their generation.If our work looks successful in the eyes of men but unfaithful in God’s sight we have suffered loss. Our capacity for increase in God’s kingdom is measured by how faithful we have been in the little things entrusted to us.

 

TO MEASURE FAITHFULNESS, WE MUST UNDERSTAND GOD’S PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE:

 

How do we know how faithful we have been if we don’t know what we have been called to be and to do! Today, millions are in hot pursuit of what they will eat and what they will wear; and not how to live in God’s purpose. Although many are believers they will get to heaven and be embarrassed by how they have lived their lives on earth.Jesus said, “That servant who knows his masters will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows” (Luke 12:47-48)  Jesus spoke about two kinds of servants; one knows his master’s will or purpose and the other who does not know and does things deserving punishment. The church is divided into these two kinds of ministries. Many churches know what the Master has called them to do, but they are not ready and they are busy pursuing their own agenda instead of moving people on to God’s agenda. These are they who are disobedient to the heavenly vision. Jesus said such ministries will be beaten with many blows. We are not called to move people to our own personal agenda no matter how legitimate it might be; we are called to move people to Jesus’ agenda. God’s purposes are the key to true spiritual leadership. A leader’s dream and vision are not. These kinds of leader have the tendencies of quitting the ministry when it does not appear to be seemingly successful. Instead we are called to be like Moses who remained faithful to God, even when his followers were rebellious to his vision. But this other servant does not know the Master’s will. Have you ever been in churches where the pastor doesn’t even know the Lord’s will? Have you ever seen people who do not know God’s purpose for them? These are those who imitate or borrow patterns from others to run their lives and ministries; because they cannot hear God for themselves. They do good works in God’s name and in presumption even though they don’t hear God’s voice. It would certainly be a painful experience, a great regret to never have sought out God’s will and follow it.

 

ONLY IN HEAVEN CAN WE KNOW IF A LIFE OR MINISTRY WAS SUCCESSFUL:

 

And He told them this parable, “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. TAKE LIFE EASY; EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY.” But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God.” (Luke 12:16-21)  This rich man according to our human standards would be termed successful. He might even be on Fortune 500’s list of successful entrepreneurs and self-made millionaires. But in the eyes of God he was a fool. The story begins with, “The ground of a certain rich man…” So he was already a rich man who was experiencing more success. But the undoing of this rich man was that he was about building his life security not on God but on things. What does it mean to be rich towards God? To be rich toward towards God, is about being faithful to God’s purpose and not to our own sufficiency. The rich man had fallen into the trap of living for himself and not for God. It is possible to begin your life serving God’s purpose and veer off into serving human interest and seeking self-glory. Many churches have veered off from God’s purpose. Like the rich man they have developed a new motto, “Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”The pursuit of success instead of faithfulness can blindfold us to God’s original purpose for our lives and ministry. Like the rich man, a church can stop seeking God’s will and begin to think for itself, “I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.” A church can also say, “We will break down our church auditorium and build the biggest cathedral, and we will get larger crowds and store up money for years to come. Take life easy church, forget missions, forget evangelism, forget revival, forget the lost, forget the widows, forget the sick, forget the orphans; eat, drink and be merry church.”Any of us can fall into this subtle snare of the enemy. That was why Jesus turned to his disciples after talking about this parable. “Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes” (Luke 12:22-23) Never take your eyes off life’s most important core; which is to seek God’s kingdom. We are to Chase God, chase faithfulness, chase understanding of His will, chase the reverence and love of God and we must chase a clear understanding who He has called us to be!And when we do these, we enter into a kingdom where God himself feeds and clothes us, not like the pagans who run after food and clothing. Unlike the rich man we must never attach our fulfillment to our possession but give ourselves wholly to God’s purpose and calling. Jesus continues in verse 33. “Sell your possession and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys”. Because God’s agenda drives spiritual leaders, it is God, not the leader, who determines when his will has been accomplished.

(Reference: 1 Samuel 15:13-24)

 

THE ULTIMATE QUESTION : WHAT HAS GOD CALLED ME TO BE?

 

Failure to understand what God has called us to be will result in a life of tryout; becoming all things to all men, copying other peoples way of doing thing instead of being an original. We will be judged by how faithful we were to what God called us to be. Finding your purpose is not a lighthearted venture; it is an adventure for which every man must wholly engage himself. Paul the apostle tells us, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:17)  Everything we do must never precede understanding what we have been called to be. Being must precede doing. In other words, it is a life lived foolishly that doesn’t understand God’s will. To live well, to live wisely: we must understand God’s will for our lives. It’s our obligation, our duty and also our joy! (Reference Luke 17:10)  My prayer is that no part of your life, no effort, no resource would be wasted but that you would find with definiteness that God ordained purpose for your life!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Ndubuisi Eke, M.A is President and Founder NEMinistries International (NEMI). An International ministry based in Nigeria with a Divine commission to be a global voice for transforming lives, restoring hope and healing nations. (NEMI). An International ministry with a Divine commission to be a global voice for transforming lives, restoring hope and healing nations. Ndubuisi’s ministry is dedicated to equip the Body of Christ all across the world through insight from God’s Word and ministering in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

 

He holds a Masters of Art in Biblical Studies from West African Theological Seminary (WATS) Nigeria for. He is an anointed minister of God who has helped awaken many to their Divine destiny and to experience tremendous victory in God’s Word. He is committed to the Great Commission handed to the Church by our Lord Jesus Christ. “Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Ndubuisi is also actively involved in missions and humanitarian ministry providing free Bible and book distribution. He is an outstanding minister of truth, power and compassion. He has a burning desire to reach the most remote part of Africa to see lives transformed and to demonstrate the practical love of Christ. God is continually speaking to Ndubuisi about his potential to go further, higher, deeper and do so much more for Him. His vision is to reach the lost and also to equip the Body of Christ with the necessary tools needed to live a successful Christian life and carryout effective ministry. His publications, outreaches and conferences are organized to reach many with the healing power of Christ. .

 

• Website – www.NdubuisiEkeMinistries.com

 

• Email – NdubuisiEke@yahoo.com

 

• Mailing Address:  Ndubuisi Eke Ministries international  

                                    PO Box 575 Ikeja

                                    Lagos, Nigeria 23401  W.Africa

                                    011 234 (706) 062 7344