Who is preaching this coming Sunday??Who is leading prayers this coming Thursday and who is leading bible study this evening??? Some of us will give answers depending on whether we will make it, others depending on who will be leading this or that while others will respond depending on who will be accompanying them to church. The list can go on and on, to illustrate how at times we end up being influenced to serve, fellowship with others, pray or read God’s word depending with the crowd we hang around. Unfortunately ,relying on the outcome of a crowd on how we serve and seek God, is the primary reason why many believers are getting lost in the crowd. What do I mean getting lost in a crowd?? Our focus is too clouded on events and multitudes hence we lose the primary focus why we as believers attend church and serve God.
In my recent bible study, I came across great generals that God used profoundly in bringing His purpose to fulfillment here on Earth .When God called out Abraham, Moses or Gideon, they were not engulfed in a crowd !They were alone. .God gave them instructions while they were keenly listening to Him and not within a crowd. When God called them out in the mix of their flaws and inabilities,their hearts became totally sold out to Him .It was no longer about what their current situations predicted or what people said but what God instructed them to do.
On this post, I will use Abraham to elaborate my point.In Genesis 22:3-5 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” Abraham requesting his men to stay behind so that he could go and worship God, was his way of not allowing anyone to talk Him out from obeying what God had commanded him to do. No matter how long he had waited for his promised son, he knew deep within him God would come through.
Using the above context ,I want to show case that our walk with God is personal. We should not attend a service or seek God, depending on who is doing this or that,let your hunger be for God and knowing Him more. Having a clear cut focus on what your heart is after, your service, your fellowship with others, your giving, your commitment will never be influenced by the crowd. You will do what God is commanding you to do.
In Exodus 33:15-16 Moses was very categorical to God,He would not step out unless God went with Him.And Moses said to Him, “If Your presence does not go (with me), do not lead us up from here. For how then can it be known that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we are distinguished, Your people and I, from all the (other) people on the face of the earth?”He knew His mission was to fulfill God’s will despite the crowd He was leading being to troublesome to handle..There is no need of wasting your energy pleasing men in the pretense you are serving God,attending service or other commitments yet God is not aware of what you are doing.God is after you having a relationship with Him and not you fulfilling an obligation.
Having a personal relationship with God, will establish a solid ground that will enable you to let go of whatever God is commanding you to let go. You have nothing to hold on, if Jesus is the center of your life. Abraham was willing to sacrifice His son of promise because he had enough faith in God to provide despite his present situation . Doing what God has called you to do, is an act of obedience. You don’t have to tag people along who are not in the same page as you!!!Believe God to give you favor with people, He wants you to be involved with. Attend that prayer meeting, that service or bible study because that’s where God wants you to be at that particular time, even though you are two or three gathered or let me say alone.Your obedience, love and hunger for God is what counts.
Take Note:-God Himself aligned the right people in Abraham’s, Moses and Gideon’s lives, when they choose to stay focused and obedient to his instructions.
Your place of worship is not a place of multitudes, it’s between you and God. Be careful never to settle for church and miss out on the savior. Your primary focus should be you having a relationship with Jesus and not you following the crowd.
Don’t seek God because everybody is doing it and don’t just attend church because people around you are attending church. Seek and serve God because you love Him, you desire to have divine encounters with Him, you desire to do greater works for His kingdom agenda, you desire to please Him all the days of your life and you don’t want to waste your life .Listen!!!No one knows you better than the one who created you and He alone is the reason you ought to live your entire life for.
A very nice read. It makes one to rethink his/her connection with God. Thanks a lot for sharing another good piece and keep it up.
You are most welcomed Tony and am Happy to know this post ministered to you in a positive way,which made you rethink of your connection with God.
God Bless