Blog

By Benson AMANYA

In the face of technology, Ministers now have digital cameras in front of us, live streaming to bigger audience all over the world.  Every time a video or podcast from us is uploaded online, viewers multiply faster. We are such massive influencers online and offline. What more do we need? 

With titles behind our names, quite a number of qualifications alongside massive followers what more would you need with such trendy name and fame?

I will say; we need more of God and less of ourselves. We are just living vessels that should be in constant communion with Christ as He fills us up. When we are full of ourselves, we limit God’s righteous works in us. Being full of oneself is nothing else but an exaggerated sense of self-worth.

I have seen some Ministers whose Appointment for Ministry is out for auction. The highest bidder is one that affords a heavy and ‘smiling’ amount packed in an envelope. Imagine God-given gifts out for sale!

We tend to suffer from what I have termed as “arrival syndrome”. The likelihood of ministering from just a place of experience is so high. A place of revelation, new anointing and Prayer connection is left to ‘Upcoming ministers’ since for us we have arrived.

Do you ever get this inflated idea that you are the most important Minister! The truth is God never runs out of options. We are not the only available vessel for God to use but rather one of the many available vessels.

How many times have we enjoyed the comfort of being referred to as MIGHTY Men/Women of God rather than Man/woman of a Mighty God?

Man was created by God and for God. It’s not about us that we should do things in our way but about Him who uses us. Shall we choose to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit not personal outlook!

Often times we get swallowed up in our; good voices, good outlooks, good command of Languages, good command of instrument keys, wide spreading name and fame and so on. This makes us feel the most important in every given Ministry.

Imagine a breed of Ministers who don’t participate in; Personal devotions, Worship sessions, do not appear in Prayer meetings, Brethrens’ Fellowships and only appear when needed and disappear after. They serve as hired servants or mercenaries. Fellow Servants of Christ, please note that, we need to be part of daily Church life too. We need to be fed in order to feed others.

Naked we come to life, with nothing, all we have, God has given us. Every God -given gift is for edification of God’s Church not a platform to popularize and commercialize us. This should be our Prayer; ‘God empty me of me to be used by you.                                         

Empty me of my over bearing Pride, my offensive display of superiority and self-importance. The emptiness of self is in order that Christ may get in, and then Compassion and Service is in order that Christ may get out to others.  

Philippians 2:3-5: “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

Serving God is not about impressing the crowd. It is not about crafting a brand name or building own empire. The work of God is about faithfulness to the divine call. Let us desist from showmanship and choose to show up everyday determined to follow and popularize Christ.  

The writer is a Student of Theology at Uganda Christian University-Mukono|bentamanya@gmail.com