COURAGE..
(Rev Dr Chris Oyakhilome)
COURAGE is an indispensable ingredient for successful leadership in God’s kingdom, and the Scriptures are replete with leaders who exhibited great courage. Consider Abraham, Moses, Joshua, the Apostles; they all exhibited great courage to finish the work committed to them by God.
So you may ask, “Why is courage so important?” It’s because the ministry given to each one of us by the Holy Spirit is a great responsibility: It involves bringing others to the knowledge of God, and there’s a certain kind of mentality that you must have to achieve this. Admonishing Joshua, God said “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.” (Joshua 1:6).
God’s ministers deliver His people to their place of inheritance, hence, there’s no place for weakness or beggarliness in ministry. You’re a warrior, and God’s army has no room for sissies. This unique mentality is not achieved by prayer, it’s in your calling; it’s something that God demands of you.
In ministry, you’ll face contending forces, but give no room to fear or discouragement because the Lord has said “Be strong and of a good courage…” (Joshua 1:6). It doesn’t matter who or what comes against you, maintain courage to do the things the Lord has asked you to do in your church, in your city, and in the nation where you live.
Go for that venue, hold that program, organise that outreach meeting; whatever God has asked you to do, do it now! Jesus said “Fear not; I am the first and the last…” (Revelation 1:17) He knows the end from the beginning, so you have nothing to fear. Go!