How did the ministry of Saul, who we know as Paul, begin? In Acts 13, it began in the normal disciplines of the Christian’s faith. It began when they were worshiping God, fasting, and praying. We see no activity on the part of those there asking God to start a new ministry. We don’t see Saul and Barnabas announcing they had been called to ministry. As far as I can see, they were seeking God. In the act of seeking to know God, God gave them a ministry.
If you ever read Oswald Chambers’ book, My Utmost for His Highest, one of the main themes is seeking God first and then doing God’s work. In this chapter, it is when people are seeking God that God gives a ministry. I wonder if in the church, we are too focused on what ministry we should be doing rather than focusing on the God who gives us the ministry to do?
Another point, even after they received the word to send Barnabas and Saul they waited. They fasted and prayed even more before they sent them out. The church didn’t rush to send them once they heard from the Holy Spirit. They fasted and prayed more to prepare those who were being sent.
PRAYER
Dear Father,
You know my heart and what is best. God as I seek you more and more, if there is some work that you would have me do show it to me clearly so that I won’t spend my life doing things that are a distraction from your plan for me. Let me be willing to follow you wherever it may take me. As John Wesley said in his Convent prayer:
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,
Praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things
To your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and holy God,
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
You are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
Let it also be made in heaven.
Amen.