Purpose Not Position

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Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." 1 Cor 3:5-8.

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" Matt 3:11.

One fascinating thing about working and generally living is that one cannot always be alone or by oneself. Even a petty sole proprietor still has to make contacts with the supplier and consumer. It would be detrimental to the business if a sole proprietor gets over their head and begin to contend superiority with either the supplier or the final consumers. Sadly however, we see unhealthy rivalry and power/superiority tussle ensuing in our places of work every now and then.

Let's look at the man John, sent of God with a clear message; proclaiming the coming of the kingdom of God alongside the practical assignment of getting all that have repented of their sins baptized with water.  Great work if you ask me. The man took his ministry and didn't let the message off his lips even in the wilderness. But there was his little cousin (6 months is a lot), Jesus the messiah, who was probably still busy with his carpentry work while John had been losing his voice telling of the Kingdom of God and whose ministry didn't begin until John baptized him and bore witness that Jesus is in deed, the son of God.

But they both didn't get it twisted. Their missions were clear. John didn't exalt himself just so everyone could know that he was even the one that got Jesus baptized. Jesus also didn't come telling us how he is the messiah and how the ministry of John is smaller compared to his. Why? Because it is of no essence! People got concerned for John and brought intelligence to him of how Jesus had started baptizing and how people were going to him but John didn't fret. You know why? He understands the place of a best man at a wedding. He's not the groom but of course he's very much important at the wedding and it's baseless to get bitter.

You may think you're more qualified for that position by all standards but your colleague has been announced. It can be quite painful, I agree. But should you now forget being a Christian and focus on bringing that person down? Or get consumed with so much bitterness that you no longer deliver your bit with excellence? Should you even resign in anger thinking you'd be better off on your own or some other organizations would mend your ego by giving you a bigger position? Or should you calm down and be sure what the Lord is up to and especially, what He would have you do?

Our focus, especially as believers, in our places of work or positions of responsibility is not to definitely define how big or important we are. Our aim is to get the work done! Get the organization progressing, get income increased, get more people enrolled. Get the brand flying. We should not be found busy playing the 'I'm greater than thou' card. We have not so learned Christ.

As the light that we are, we are to shine in that little cubicle by the corner, where nobody seems to notice, that we have been put. When you have a torch on in the dark, it doesn't cry before you shine it towards where you want more illumination. There would be no need to toil over a bigger position only if we have been found faithful in the little that has been committed to us, remember the parable of the talents Matt 25:14-28. If Paul plants, we know planting is work but Appolos' duty to water is equally important; after all, it's God that gives the increase but each must play their role and play it well.

Imagine if all the cleaners in your office don't show up one day or if you have to park at the gate, get the gate opened yourself before you go back to drive in, does it seem to you that the gatekeeper is of essence too? What if your favorite food vendor doesn’t show up on that day that you've decided to satisfy your cravings? How about if your subordinates don't show up for work one day, would you handle all that stuff alone? What if you get to drop your child off in school only to find out that school won't open without notice because teachers are absent, oops! I thought the tuition fees you pay pays their salary. How about you let your money watch over and teach your child henceforth? The message is simple: everyone, regardless of how insignificant you think what they do is, is a part of the big system that runs. they are members in particular.

Scriptures says “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” 1 Cor 12:14-18. The value is not in the position or title. It is in how resourceful and useful each person is. It is in the gap that they bridge, the assignments they get done. At the end of it all, the purpose we fulfill is more important than the throne we sit on.

If you have not made Jesus Christ your Lord and saviour, then life here is anchorless and eternity is bleak. We urge you, don’t wait another moment. Make up your mind and say this prayer:

“Dear God, I ask you to forgive me all my sins and make me anew. I believe that Jesus died for me and you raised him up on the third day, I confess that He is Lord now and forever. I accept your son, Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.”

Congratulations! Now that you are born again, look for a Bible believing church to attend that you might know what he has provided for you.