“I am compelled by God . . how terrible for me if I didn’t!” 1 Corinthians 9:16 NLT
“Ministry is what you do at God’s direction, in His name, by His power, and for His glory.”
My thoughts today are about “compelling direction.”
Life without a compelling direction is far less than God meant your life to be. I read a business quote that advised, “Find a job that you love and enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” In that sense, work would be described as what you have to do to earn a paycheck and pay your bills, in contrast to what you would prefer doing and someone is willing to pay you for doing so.
When I was fifteen, I knew that God was calling me to professional ministry. However, I had other plans. My plan was a desire to be an architect, and in my senior year of High School, I applied and was accepted to Washington University, College of Architecture, St. Louis, Missouri, to begin studies that fall. That summer I experienced a sovereign direction from God.
Into my heart, God put His compelling desire and my corresponding delight. The experience was compelling but was neither coercive nor audible – just a quiet but sure sense in my heart of God’s invitation to embrace His highest and best for my life. Just a short six weeks later, I was a Pastoral Theology major at Bethany Bible College in Scotts Valley, California, and have not looked back. Our marriage, family, and life-long ministry are the fruit of that simple choice to obey God.
Paul wrote this declaration to the Corinthian church, “I am compelled by God to do it (preach the Good News). How terrible for me if I didn’t do it . . God has chosen me and given me this sacred trust, and I have no choice.” 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 NLT. I think Paul was testifying that what another might consider mere work; he considered his act of worship. “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV. When you give yourself to God as worship, everything you do becomes your “spiritual act of worship.”
For Paul, God’s call was to teach and preach, but I see a broader principle that can apply to every person whatever your task or talent. Do you have a compelling direction from God for your life? When you have that, everything you do in service and obedience to God – any career or profession – becomes your worship, and is holy to the Lord. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ . . Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:23-24/4:17 NKJV.
Ministry is not a particular occupation, nor is it limited to religious activity alone. Ministry is anything and everything you do at God’s direction, in His name, by His power, and for His glory. For the Christ-follower there should be no distinction between things sacred and secular. All you do in faith and obedience to God’s compelling direction is sacred when it is offered in devoted service to God and man. Your work is your worship.
In a few months, I will conclude almost five decades of pastoral ministry, and begin a further chapter of His compelling direction for my life. I have never regretted the decision I made fifty years ago. In fact, I would not want a different life no matter what its path or rewards may have been.
My prayer for you today is that you invest your life in eternity, not spend it in mere time.