Ownership OR Stewardship?

Good afternoon to those of the faith and to those of whom we remain hopeful. We are always reminded of those who never lost hope in us. I have often told the story (usually at revivals) of how my sister spent the night pounding the floor with her fist, praying for God to save me.  That was over fifteen years ago and, of course, He not only answered her but He did exceedingly above all that she could have asked or even hoped for.   She saw me as a sinner:  a sinner in need of an outstretched hand to save me because I was just about to go under, if you know what I mean.  Back then, she had never even imagined that God had a call on my life.  She just wanted me to be rescued and spared, but God had a bigger plan in mind.  He was working out a plan of chosen and set apart for the building of His Kingdom.

How many times have we looked at someone on the outside of the kingdom hopeful that they would just be spared?  We pray for God to save them.  We want them to be brought into the Kingdom and placed under the safety of "our great ministry" that God has entrusted us with (Lol) and then sure enough, it happens!  We are very proud that God has used US to help save one that was perishing.  We love the feeling of being needed and helping the weak.  They look up to us and we are elated!  Yes, we are their teacher and their leader...  I mean, their dependency on our ministry makes us feel like we are SOMEBODY!  What would they do without us or where would they go without our leadership?  Besides, they wouldn’t even be saved if it wasn’t for our intercession for them.  Hmmm...

The question for today is: “why did God save them”?  Every one of us was saved on purpose for a purpose.  In the ministry we should want people to become disciples and to move ahead into their call.  Why would we want people to remain ignorant or dependent on us?  Why would any leader want someone to remain in the state of just RESCUED and SPARED instead of CHOSEN and SET APART?  We have to be mindful of the fact that God's Kingdom is so much bigger than our specific area we're currenlty working in right now.  Do you know what I mean?  His kingdom is certainly bigger than the local church. 

I have learned that it is a great honor for God to allow US to disciple or even safeguard His anointed for a season.  It is a privilege for HIM to allow us to cover His chosen vessels for a set time.  We can contrast our ministry with that of Pharaoh’s daughter… She was chosen to find and raise Moses, ensuring him a good foundation, but at some point she had to let him go, because after all the BABY didn’t belong to her. He belonged to God.  We must let God be the owner of all that belongs to Him and we be found faithful in the stewardship of it.

Loving U Like a Sister,

Regina