A Divine Business on Earth

"He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ." (Eph 4:11&12 The Message Bible)  Obviously, the apostle is the CEO of the church.  The prophet is in charge of Strategic Planning.  The evangelist is Director of Sales and the pastor-teacher is the Supervisor.  This model of Church Operation shows that God understands how a successful business needs to operate.  But the model also applies to our individual lives.

As we organize our lives so as to be successful and fruitful, we have to emulate these offices every day.  Our apostle is Jesus Christ showing us which choice to make because He has an overview of our life and knows what way is best.  So each day I closet with God and get in tune with His will for my life.

The prophet helps me to look ahead and either avoid pitfalls or turn into green pastures.  The evangelist helps me to show the way to others so that my life is fruitful for the Lord.  The pastor-teacher leads me in the path of righteousness and teaches me through scripture and through my church's teaching what I need to know.

How could I ever have thought I could live my life all by myself and make all my decisions without any help from God?  There was a time when I tried to ignore that I needed to connect with God each day so as to put myself (or keep myself) on the right track.  Now that I am older and wiser hopefully I have learned better.  God keep me in your way and on your path so that my life will be successful and fruitful.