It is poorly understood if a goal or mission cannot be compressed into a single sentence. I might preach to the converted, but I'll say the obvious: "The goal of God is the goal of Christian ministry."
God wants sons and daughters. That's all he wants.
In everything we call ministry—whether church ministry, healing the sick, helping hands, leading homes, administrating organisations, government, business, or education—the goal remains to be, birth, or raise people who will be God's vision of his children.
It all traces its roots back to the reason for the first man, Adam:
"Then God said, “Now let’s make humans who will be like us. They will rule over all the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. They will rule over all the large animals and all the little things that crawl on the earth.”
So God created humans in his own image. He created them to be like himself. He created them male and female." Genesis 1:26-27
An offspring or child is 'the young of an animal, or a person’s children:' [Cambridge Dictionary]. God created Adam as one to be like himself- an offspring. His child.
The goal has never changed. Until we align all we do with this eternal goal, our achievements will be limited to this earth and of no eternal value.
What aligning with God's divine goal might mean in an individual context will differ, but your ability to translate God's goal into your vision is highly dependent on having a personal understanding and insight into this relationship with God yourself. It is nearly impossible to give what you do not have.
The personal, intimate relationship a leader has with God is the starting point. Are you a child of God? By 'child,' I do not just mean have you accepted his fatherhood in theory, but have you accepted his fatherhood in practice?
There is something I say to all whom I have had the personal privilege of teaching - never fall into the trap of outgrowing God's fatherhood. The moment one becomes too adult to be parented by God, they start on the path that leads to death. Often, for those in Christian ministry, this is subtle.
It might start with judging our worth by our achievements or lack thereof, by the estimation of others or by men's lack of estimation, and by our skill and wisdom or lack thereof. In all, it boils down to focusing on anything other than God's fatherhood and Jesus' leadership over our lives and assignments.
Oh, that we might all learn that true ministry is that at the feet of the Lord most high.
As the song 'No Higher Calling' by Jonathan Kenneth Butler goes:
Down at Your feet, oh Lord
Is the most high place
In Your presence, Lord
I seek Your face, seek Your face
Down at Your feet, oh Lord
Is the most high place
In Your presence, Lord
I seek Your face, seek Your face
There is no higher calling, no greater honor
Than to bow and kneel before Your throne
I am amazed at Your glory, embraced by Your mercy
Oh Lord, I live to worship You
Ministry is done at this place —the place of a loving and loyal child at the feet of his Father. The Lord calls you. Every minister, every child, he calls you first to his side. Will you answer?
And will you answer daily?
"As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God? " Psalm 42:1-2
.
"Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God. " Psalm 43:4
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