“I Thought My Ministry Was Over… God Said Otherwise”

This blog is written by Mark Morris.

My purpose never died.

After 40 years of pastoring, a few health issues caught up with me. I went into retirement, because I was thinking that I did not have a long time to live.

But God had different plans, and so far I have outlived all of the doctors expectations. God‘s goodness has kept me going strong, and I feel I have several more years to be productive in kingdom work.

At retirement, I felt a tremendous loss of purpose. No longer was there a need for sermon preparation or the need to plan or organize a part of my life.

Emotionally it was a strain, and I felt as though I was a drift and had no purpose. Then I had an awakening. I began to do a study on spiritual gifts. Then I read a verse. I had quoted many times, Romans 11:29, Paul said for “the gifts and callings of God are without repentance.”

Mark Morris, Author

We realize Paul is telling us our calling and spiritual gifting that God has given us is never to be repented of. He never repents for giving them to us. So that brings me back to the subject of having a purpose. Remember, I had pastored for 40 years and now I felt that I was without purpose. Then I realized my purpose was not lost. I just simply needed to redirect it. I may no longer be able to Pastor. However, my calling to be a preacher has not changed. If I live to be 100 years old, I will always be a preacher. My redirected purpose has let me realize my ministry has become one of an encourager or a supporter. I can support my Pastor and be there with much experience to help him whenever the need may arise. I feel I have a lot to offer and I feel I can help in so many ways. There are no more church members’ funerals to preach. However, I have many friends in my community. They still call on me when those needs arrive. I have made myself available to the local funeral homes if they need a minister when someone has no church affiliation.

You may not be a preacher or Pastor, but your gifting and talents never go away. You never lose purpose. You just have to learn to redirect your purpose.

I have found my purpose, and I am happy in my calling.

With God‘s help and grace, I will continue to walk worthy of my vocation.