Summoning His 12 disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness. Matthew 10:1 HCSB
At a young age I struggled with what God wanted me to do with my life. Every year I changed my major while in college, seeking to find just the right place for me. In the summer between my junior and senior year in school, I reluctantly went with my parents to a Family Enrichment Conference. At that conference I felt God’s call on my life to become a youth minister. I returned home with a desire to change my major one more time. I graduated with a Social Science degree and went on to seminary and earned a Masters Degree in Religious Education. Over the last 40 years I have followed God’s call on my life. There have been times when I have been discouraged and even wanted to quit, but the call of God has always given me the strength to do what was required.
Jesus called His disciples together and gave them authority and instructions to go and minister to the people of Israel. Jesus gave His disciples His power. They did not have the power and authority on their own to drive out demons and heal the sick. Jesus gave them His power so they could do what they had seen Him do.
Challenge: God calls every believer to go and minister to others. Not everyone is called to be a full-time vocational minister, but every believer is called to minister to those they encounter. God has given you His authority to minister in His name. To love in His name. To care in His name. You are the hands and feet of Jesus to minister to a dying world that desperately needs a Savior who can forgive people of their sins and give them eternal life. Pray that God will give you authority and use you to minister to others.