(Matthew 25:21 NKJV)
There was a time when I saw God begin to do many great things in my life. It was a time of the manifestation and fulfillment of many dreams and visions. During this period, I started experiencing more problems and having more frequent confrontations than ever before. As director of our Bible and mission school, I felt like a fireman. As soon as one “blaze” was extinguished, another would crop up somewhere else.
On one hand, God was doing great things, but on the other hand I felt run down and discouraged. At this time I thought to myself, I will just let my wife (who was the administrator of the school) start doing more; I’ll go to the mission field where the work is fun and I can just send back postcards.
My mind was made up to do that until, while in prayer, I saw in my spirit a vision of David being anointed by Samuel to be king. The Lord asked me, What did David do after he was anointed king?
I thought for a moment and answered, “He went back to tending his father’s sheep.”
The Lord continued, Had David gone out looking for a giant to kill at that time, the lion and the bear would have eaten his flock. The school is your flock, so you had better tend to it.
“Yes, Sir,” I said. “I see that very clearly.”
Whether you are a pastor, an associate pastor, a music director, or a layman, each of us has a flock. That flock belongs to us individually, and God expects us to tend it. David’s flock was his assignment from God, and he knew that. Although he had been anointed to be king of Israel, his first priority at the moment was to continue to tend to his first assignment. I knew that if I did not take the time to invest myself into the students under my care, I could not expect them to flow with me once they had reached the mission field.
The giants will come. And if you will stay with your assignment, at just the right time, you will meet and conquer your giant just as David met and overcame his. Like David, you will be exalted—after you have first proven yourself faithful.
You may look at your current condition and position and wonder how God could ever use you. You may think to yourself, I am not the person in charge, so I have to stay submitted to other people. How will I ever get to fulfill my own dream and vision?
Be at peace and know that God’s Word is not written for leaders only. It is written for the Body of Christ, and that includes you—God’s armorbearer—right where you are today.
- Who or what is your flock at the moment? Whomever or whatever it is, it is where God needs you now.
- Let the scriptures below encourage you. In the last two examples, the individuals being written to were already in leadership positions of oversight, but the principle is still the same: don’t get in a hurry for the next phase of ministry. Serve your current flock well today. Let these verses minister to you: Ecclesiastes 3:1; Psalm 31:15; Acts 20:28; and 1 Peter 5:2–4.
Father God, thank You for the “flock” You’ve given me. My heart is so full of the vision You’ve put inside me that sometimes it is hard to give my current assignment my full attention. I repent of that. If I’m constantly living in the future, there is no way I can be truly faithful where I am now. I recommit myself to the position You have me in now. My times are in Your hands, Father, and I trust You to orchestrate my life as it pleases You. Amen.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Terry has served as senior associate minister of a thriving congregation for over 23 years with over 40 years of experience in local church ministry. He is currently the senior pastor of Impact Church in Sherwood, Arkansas. Terry has authored four books. On the bestselling list, these books have motivated thousands of Christians to stand with their leaders in faithful service, helping them to fulfill God's purpose for their lives.
Terry is the Founder and President of Focus on the Harvest, Inc. He's traveled extensively, awakening believers to this strategic generation. Through his God-given passion, believers are ignited to discover their gifts and callings, commit to the vision of their local church, and focus on the harvest of souls throughout their city, state, nation, and world.
Terry holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern University, where he met his wife, Kim. They've been married for over 40 years and have three children; McCall, Alex, and McKenna.
In May 2008, Terry and Kim began Impact Church, a dynamic and growing, multicultural body of believers in Sherwood, AR. We believe that Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship. God loves each person individually. He desires everyone to know him personally.