Have you picked up a book and felt it was written just for you? I “happened” upon a book titled: Be Yourself/Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live written by John Mason. As of today, I’m on my twelfth reading. I believe I have highlighted, circled, underlined, and marked every inch of his book. (See example below.) As I pursue fulfilling my dream to write and minister to ladies, reading motivational books is just one way I stay inspired.
When God created you, He placed His purpose for your life inside. It is our responsibility to use our God-given gifts to the best of our ability.
John Mason said as he walked through airports, he longed to stop others and asked, “Do you realize God has a unique plan for your life? Do you know that He ‘packaged’ you perfectly for the job? Are you aware His best for you is a life of peace, abundance, satisfaction, and love?”
He goes on to say, “That’s why I wrote this book. First, to attack the mediocrity of doing anything other than what God wants you to do. Second, to stir up the gifts He’s placed within you!”
After twenty years of ministry, I've learned God created me to be me, and I can rest in His wisdom and design for my life.
Everyone wants their ministry to flourish. I've learned valuable truths over the years which kept me going forward for the cause of Christ. Below is a list of some of the principles which have helped me stay motivated.
PURSUE YOUR PASSION
John Mason says, “Ignore what you are passionate about and you ignore one of the greatest potentials God has put inside you.”
In his book, “Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop,” author John Mason wrote: “The starting point of all accomplishments is desire. Keep this in mind: feeble desires bring feeble results just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat. Be passionate about your life. Act from your passions. Know that the more energy you apply to any task, the more you will have to apply to the next task. 'Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might' (Eccl. 9:10)."
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
Nehemiah accomplished in fifty-two days what the nation could not do in ninety years. Rebuilding of the wall. The key to his success—prayer (Nehemiah 1:4).
FOLLOW GOD’S LEADING
A verse I reference often says, “Commit your works to the LORD [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance]” (Proverbs 16:3 AMP).
EXPECT OPPOSITION
Nehemiah faced much opposition while rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall. When the enemy attacked, he didn’t flinch but continued working with one hand while holding a weapon in the other (Nehemiah 4:10-17).
USE YOUR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
A believer called Dorcas was full of good works and tirelessly ministered to others. She became ill and passed away. Peter was summoned and led to the upper chamber where all the widows stood by, weeping, and holding clothes Dorcas had made.
Like Dorcas, wisely use your window of opportunity. She made widow’s clothes, “while she was with them” (Acts 9:39).
The author of Ecclesiastes reminds us there will be no working in the grave. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecc 9:10)
NEVER GIVE UP
Use failure as a stepping-stone, not an excuse to stop. I cannot count the number of mistakes I have made in my twenty years of ministry. And I can assure you, I haven’t maxed out my limit. Failure isn’t final with the Father. “Failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” (Author unknown).
LET GOD WORK THROUGH YOU
Before beginning my ministry, my Pastor gave me a lot of helpful advice, but one statement has stuck with me through the years, “Remember Billie, it’s not what you do for God, but what you allow Him to do through you.”
Below are several of my go-to verses reminding me to depend on God’s power and guidance.
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1 Corinthians 5:24)
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)
Remember, you can be confident of this one thing, “that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
What God started; HE WILL complete. “There is not enough darkness to snuff the light God has placed in you.”
GIVE GOD TIME
We don’t sow seed one day and expect to harvest on the next day. Give God time to grow you as you grow in your craft. “And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
ALL FOR HIS GLORY
Everything we do is to point others to the Lord Jesus Christ and to further God’s kingdom. “...whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
And finally, HAVE FUN
The demands of ministry can diminish the joy of serving the LORD.
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5). Joy enables you to serve the LORD with gladness. (Psalm 100:3). Joy is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10), your encourager (Hebrews 12:2), the motivator to
finish your course (Acts 20:24 NLT), and your reward for faithfulness (Matthew 25:23).
Remember, you were designed to thrive! Give your best to God and wait on Him to give the increase.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
I would love to hear from you. What motivates you and keeps you pressing towards the mark? Encourage us with your comments.
Thank you so much! May God continue to bless your labor of love for His glory!
All for HIS glory,
Billie
I love the principles you share that helped you stay motivated.! Wonderful points!