We all were created with intentionality and for a purpose. But what do you do when you are faced with resistance in the very thing God has called you to do?
Through God’s word, He reveals how we can remain steadfast and aware as we partner with Him in the business of His kingdom.
Greatness in Ministry
Just as with any business, there are many different roles that play an essential part in God’s plan. Because we are uniquely wired and gifted, we all are invited to help advance heaven on earth.
Consider the disciples; they had a front-row seat to the miraculous ministry of Jesus, yet they struggled with how their roles would be affected once Jesus returned to the right hand of the Father. And instead of recognizing what they would bring to the table, they argued over who would take over Jesus’ ministry once He was gone.
“Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”
Luke 22:24-27, NKJV
Jesus is reminding the disciples that greatness can only be measured by their willingness to be a servant. And the same applies to us today.
Are you willing to roll up your sleeves to serve the one in front of you, or are you sitting back, waiting for others to serve you?
Resistance in Your Calling
It can be hard to step into the realm of what God has created for you when all you experience is resistance.
But the truth is saints, is that the devil will lay traps and landmines because he will do anything in his power to steal, kill, and destroy the sovereign work of the kingdom. This can be problematic because most people want to quit when they hit a wall of tension in their lives.
They stop going to church.
They quit tithing.
They conform to their old, comfortable ways.
So, it is crucial that disciples of Christ know and understand that rejection and opposition go hand in hand with the territory of fulfilling your calling!
I have been in ministry for fifty years, and without fail, before each and every significant advancement of my calling, some drama has lurked from around a dark corner.
Can I encourage you not to get frustrated or mad, cussing at God?
Be encouraged that trials and temptations will come. This merely indicates that you are headed in the direction God wants you to go.
As Jesus imparts wisdom to the disciples, He says in Luke 22:31, NKJV, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.”
I hope you recognize that the enemy’s opposition is aimed at you, too, because you are a force to be reckoned with in the kingdom of heaven. And anywhere God’s children are thriving, the enemy wants you surviving!
Kingdom Potential
It’s no secret that I am a Baltimore Ravens fan. Recently, the team announced with fanfare that they signed Odell Beckham, Jr., a wide receiver. (For those who don’t know, he’s a bad dude with a one-handed catch.)
In my years of following the Ravens, I have noticed that there isn’t much media buzz surrounding the second and third-string receivers. And do you know why that is? It’s because players like Lamar Jackson and Odell Beckham, Jr. can potentially win the Super Bowl and put the Ravens back on top.
Similarly, that is why the devil has tormented you and asked for you by name because you represent a threat to his kingdom! Like Beckham, you must be a bad somebody, and the devil doesn’t want you to reach your destiny because of the danger you represent.
Souls will be saved because of you.
Marriages are going to be healed because of you.
Children are going to be delivered because of you.
The devil will be defeated, and God will get the glory because of you.
Collective Resistance
Even Peter, a man in Jesus’ inner circle, experienced hardship in his calling.
The devil knew that one day, Peter would be filled with the Holy Ghost and the first apostle to witness the empty grave. He knew miracles would happen, people would be delivered, and that Peter would carry the Gospel to the least of these. This is why, in Luke 22:31, the devil asked for him by name.
One interesting thing to mention is that the Greek word for “you” in this verse is plural. Jesus isn’t just talking to Peter; he addresses each disciple around the table, saying, “The devil has asked for y’all.”
The same is true for the Bride of Christ: He has asked for your family, your spouse, and your friends. He wants all of y’all.
This is why we gather as a body of believers to encourage and strengthen each other when weary and discouraged. And may we collectively give God praise that Satan can ask for us, but he can’t have us!
Protected in God’s Glory
Job, a man of great faith, experienced loss and ridicule of many kinds. Yet he was so faithful that God asked Satan, in his potential turmoil, if He had considered His servant, Job.
What a mantle we must carry that God thinks enough of us that He mentions our very name to the one who wants to destroy us! Despite everything you have gone through, God considers you a key player in the Kingdom. He knows what He has put inside us and that in every trial, we can go through hell and still give Him the glory!
A Shield of Blessing
Do you wonder why God, in his faithfulness, willingly mentions our name to the enemy? It is because He has already put a shield around us. We are protected and covered, and He has our back!
If you are struggling in wondering if and when you have another thing coming to you, be encouraged! God has placed enough strength and faith inside of you to handle it. Furthermore, He has set a limit on what the devil can do.
God knows that no matter what you go through, what you have learned during your trials fuels the praise of your soul, and He is worthy of it all.
You may have lost your job, but God is still worthy!
The doctor gave me a terrifying diagnosis, but God is still worthy!
Your spouse has walked out, but God, You are still worthy!
Even in our most difficult days, God’s grace flows through and to us so that we can endure.
Psalms 63:4, NKJV declares, “Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”
We, too, can cling to this in God’s purpose for our lives. Because no matter the fight, as long as we are still breathing, He is still worth our praise.