“A man can only receive what is given to him from heaven” (John 3:27 NIV).
John the Baptizer knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he heard from God about his ministry. He followed his call faithfully. Many people came to him to repent and be baptized. Multitudes were touched by his ministry as he set the stage for the coming Messiah, Jesus.
There’s one thing that can be said of John: we never hear of him begging God to put him in the right position to be successful. We actually hear him do the exact opposite. John understood that the effectiveness of his ministry depended upon God alone. He didn’t fret or stress out about how it would happen. That was God’s responsibility.
“They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him”’ (John 3:26).
How many times have we said something like that—everyone is going to him.? Why is that person more successful? How did that book become a best-seller? She’s made a fortune. What am I doing wrong?
Maybe nothing.
Toward the end of his ministry and life, John became what we would call less successful. Jesus was becoming more popular. People didn’t flock to John anymore. This bothered John’s disciples. They wanted him to do something about it. Maybe beg God for help?
John’s response was to be faithful to his call—even unto death. He didn’t get worked up or anxious. He didn’t beg for God to open doors for him. His reply was simple and wise: “A man can only receive what is given to him from heaven.”
Our posture in ministry and in life can be the same as John’s. He was obedient to God’s call and left the consequences and results to Him. This is freedom! Throw off anxiety and worry. There’s no need to strive or wring your hands.
If God wants to move our ministries, books, or ideas forward, He will give it to us from heaven, and no one can stop it. But if He doesn’t, no amount of begging will make it happen. He just didn’t have that for us. He has something else. Okay, move on. No big deal. Next. He knows how He wants to expand His Kingdom. Let Him.
We writers have a million more ideas just waiting for us on a spreadsheet anyway. Right?
Lord, Your yoke is easy, and Your burden is light. Why do we want to make it heavy and burdensome? Help us to remember that we are to obey and walk out the call You’ve given us. You are the One ultimately responsible for making it happen. Help us to remember that we can only receive what You give from heaven: nothing more, nothing less. Let us not be anxious or worried if things aren’t happening as we deem appropriate. But trust Your plan. May Your Kingdom come. May Your will be done, on earth (and in my life and ministry) as it is in heaven.
This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).
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