CHRISTMAS: VINDICATIONS AND VALIDATIONS BY PASTOR GREG ELKAN.

_“Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord...”_ – Col 4:17

One of the many hurdles young minsters face is the quest for validation and vindication. This is especially true when their transition to ministry was accompanied by tough sacrifices like relocations, career change of letting go of juicy financial opportunities. They need vindication because those close to them probably consider their choices unwise; and they want immediate “results” in their ministries because “no one can argue with results.”

They also crave for validations like high-profile converts, viral testimonies, global invitations, million+ followers on Social Media, etc. 

These are legitimate desires and can bolster the faith and energy of any minister. Nevertheless, every young minister must understand that God's not obliged to vindicate or validate their ministry. Contrary to what's popularly taught, it’s your obedience – NOT your “results” – that proves you were called.

When God gives you a command, you do not wait for him to validate that command or to explain it to everyone before you obey; you must learn to simply trust and obey – just like Joseph and Mary did. 

The ministry of Joseph and Mary is evidence that God’s call on your life may not be validated immediately – or ever in your lifetime. Our romanticized portrayal of the Holy Family makes us easily forget that few people were aware that Jesus was virgin-born. For basically most of Mary’s life – and certainly all of Joseph’s, they had to live with the reputation that they fornicated before marriage, just as seen in the malicious rebuttal by the Jews to Jesus in Joh 8:41 _(“We are not born of fornication.”)_ 

Even worse, later rabbinical sources claim that Jesus was fathered by a Roman soldier! It is bad enough to accuse Mary of committing fornication with her betrothed husband, but to spitefully accuse her of being deflowered by a hated colonial invader would probably be too much to take. 

But did Mary ever try to defend herself? Did she go to ‘Instagram Live’ to explain her angelic visitation to her followers? Did she use every preaching opportunity to defend her previously-known chaste reputation? NO! rather, the scriptures say that Mary _“kept all these sayings in her heart.”_ (Lk 2:51). 

It was _only_ after the expansion of Christianity, that the virgin conception of Jesus became well-known. Which would probably be too late for Mary and Joseph since most of their accusers never got to hear it before dying. 

Beloved, your call to ministry does not need to be externally validated in your lifetime to ‘prove’ to people that you heard God clearly. As a faithful steward, your duty is to obey that call and leave it to the Lord your Master to decide in which way and in what time He decides to validate you. 

And whether He does it immediately, or years later, or never at all in your lifetime, know for sure that on that Great Day, just as will certainly be said to Joseph and Mary, the Lord will say to you: “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord,: (Mt 25:23).

AMEN.

PASTOR GREG ELKAN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.