By mutua mahiaini
What is the most important thing about any ministry? The prayer? The strategy? The passion? It all hangs on what God is doing, and we join Him as we celebrate what He is doing.
Throughout the Bible and Navigator history, we see a consistent thread of God using His people to fulfill His will and bring glory to Himself. This concept is beautifully expressed in Exodus 19:3-6:
Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants ofJacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
This Scripture reminds us how God brings His people to Himself, choosing them to be His representatives among the nations. They are to be not just an object lesson, but those that God uses to impact the world. Believers are redeemed by God to share God's great power at work in their personal experience and in the nations.
God knows what He intends to do. As His followers, we get to join Him. When Jesus issued the Great Commission, He shared the will of the Father for disciples to be made one for His glory among the nations. Just as the story of the Exodus combines God's redemption and His covenant with His people, so our approach to ministry should be a blend of transformation and obedience. Discipleship is not complete without missions in mind, just as our work on the mission field is not complete without discipleship.
That is why we exist: for the glory of God. This results in the advancement of the kingdom. And it is about God and His covenant with His people—together among the nations. We can glorify the Lord in our Worldwide Partnership by celebrating the work of the Father together. As we celebrate the stories of what God is doing, we learn about how God could work in our situation.
Our growth and ministry only takes place because God is at work. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of his people. If we are praising God together for the great things He has done, we can be confident not only that we are focused on what really matters, but that God is with us. The Lord gave us a very clear calling “to advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of laborers living and discipling among the lost”—we should be ready to share with one another how He is fulfilling it.
Irrespective of the challenges a context may present, we can acknowledge God's influence within it. Instead of concealing our ministry hurdles due to fear or shame, we should confide in our fellow believers and pray for one another. Our weaknesses are an opportunity to boast in Christ, asking God to give us fresh expectancy and trust.
In every season of your ministry journey, take a moment to pause, reflect, and express gratitude to God. This sacred act of thanksgiving aligns us with His desires and purpose. Our celebration of God’s hand upon our lives is not merely an act of devotion; it magnifies His glory. As the great missionary William Carey encouraged, we must continue to “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
God's intentions transcend our comprehension. We must remain vigilant, eyes open to His movements, and ever ready to join Him in His work. It's time to lay aside distractions—the enormity of challenges, the apparent scarcity of fruit, and our perceived inadequacies. These have no place in our narrative, for it isn't about us—it's all about Him. Psalm 50:23 resonates deeply: “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
God the Father is leading us. Are we listening? We need to be ready to take the next steps of obedience for the glory of God and the advancement of the Gospel.
