GOD'S SERVICE IS NOT A RACE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER

The feeling that; I should dwarf others (ministers of God) is a hegemonic feeling whose source is nothing else but the evil pride. Such devilish pride ignites the human instinct of not only forcefully and selfishly wanting to appear greater than everyone, but also to seek to challenge the deity of the person of God Almighty.

Such a feeling creates false and void overconfidence. This feeling is only self destructive! For we are parts of the same body. Yet one part can't claim more importance than the other because each serves an equally important and unique function (1 Corinthians 12:12).

The devil was thrown out of heaven for empty pride of which it is; unfounded superiority and arrogance in substance (Isaiah 14:12-15), (Ezekiel 28:13-19), (Revelation 12:9). When man gave in to the devil, it meant having given in to the ways and the patterns of the devil for which he (the devil) had been thrown out of heaven (Genesis 3). For Satan is the father of all liars, deceivers, murderers, tempters, accusers, and all the rest of all evil (John 8:44). This instinct of humanism and hegemonic vengeance became very strong in each and every human ever to live (except for our Lord Jesus).

Lucifer is thrown out of heaven

For the devil harbored a feeling that he would compete and get ahead of God. After having failed, he seeks to set humans in the same race in which he (Satan) was defeated. And man will surely, just like the devil be defeated. It is nothing else but simply self destruction. But there is another chance for those who diligently turn to Jesus.

This feeling is planted by Satan in and reminiscent of every human. But as ministers of God, more so as Christians, we must get over it. For if we think by competing for the top we are serving God, it is simply self deception. Such a minister only appears to serve God but they are surely serving the devil in substance. Yet God can use us greatly and mightily (Philippians 4:13).

We are called differently. Serving God should be about pointing to the fulfillment of God's purpose in one's lifetime. One's satisfaction therefore should not emanate from having been seen or appearing to be greater than the rest, but from the fact that we have pretty surpassed our physical limitations. 

Preacher of the word

In the Bible, there are Major Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel. But there are also Minor Prophets such as; Hosea, Zechariah, Joel, Habakkuk etc. But to use the words; Major and Minor in reference is not to mean one prophesied more than the other in terms of substance. It is the volumes of writings that differ.

Yet all these books of prophesy are treated equally vital in terms of substance.  That is; all prophecy is vital. Whether in terms of volume one prophecy is bigger than the other, that is no issue. The fact remains that all prophecy is from God and each is but for a purpose. In this then, a Pastor and an Usher, each is but for a purpose that has to come to fruition.

It isn't therefore about the volume of work covered. It is not about appearing to be smaller or greater than. The lead factor is the substance of God's purpose, and the reward is given in the same spirit. On this account therefore, no one is appreciated by God for how much they have covered, but for how far God's purpose has been fulfilled in their lives (whatever the volume). 

The service of God is not about what position a person occupies. It does not matter if one is an Usher, Pastor, Elder, Evangelist, Apostle. Each of these is equally important in having the will of God fulfilled here on earth. If each of these faithfully stands in their positions, none is to be held in greater or lesser esteem by the Rewarder who is God. Even a perceived lay Christian will receive their reward in accordance despite not seeming to be anything and not holding any of the titles most craved for in Church.

Carnal minds breed such variances. Yet serving God effectively as we have mentioned above shouldn't be about how greater or lesser we appear to others, but how sure we are that we are doing exactly what God purposed us for and doing it willfully and faithfully.Every one is pretty important in the eyes of God.

If one asked such a question as; Of Moses and Elijah, who is greater than the other? Of Noah and Abraham, who is greater than the other? Of Jeremiah and Isaiah, who is greater than the other? What is your take? Are not they all great men of God? They are all known to be great men of God, but not in the sense that one appears to be greater than the other. It is in the sense that each stood steadfast in their calling.

In this fact, we (servants of God) are not simply to work to appear great, but to ensure that the purpose of God is fulfilled in our lives. For the calling of each of these men of God differed pretty much. Despite both of them being Prophets, how Jeremiah prophesied is no where similar to how Isaiah did prophesy.

Elijah calls fire from heaven

If you want to lead others, then serve them (Mark 10:41-43)! Jesus leads by serving to date (John 5:17). He was exemplary to us in every sense of it. He demonstrated this when He washed the feet of the disciples (John 13:1-17). Even then, many of us practice these things, but we lack the intent with which Jesus did so.

God has called us into ministry so that we can serve but not to be served. What we demand thereof, we ought not to because it never comes by demand. Respect, riches and power come to us by way of having been willful and faithful in the service that God has assigned to each one of us. The persona of ministry therefore must be the one to serve and not to be served. It is not a time for reward now, it is a time to serve. Let us serve selflessly. The Lord will reward us accordingly and in the sense that we have lived up to the purpose of the Creator.

NB To serve God is also be to love and obey Him.