“Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to
Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood.” 1 Peter 1:2 (NIV)
When the Lord first called me to His work, I was so excited and ready to go about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. But then things happened to destroy all that. I felt shame. There were people relying on me, but I had come up way short of everyone’s expectations—
most of all Jesus, who gave up all things for me.
I felt like an outcast. I sought to restore my relationships, but I remained hurt and angered because I was convinced that people did
not understand what I was going through. I met with a Christian friend, thinking that he will be on my side and see things my way. After we talked quite a while, he said three words that angered me. Those words were, “You are selfish.” But it was godly advice. My friend was telling me that I was serving myself and was sitting on the throne that was meant for Jesus.
All these devastating things that happened to me brought me into a closer relationship to Jesus. I had been placing “I” at the front, and not putting all things in His hands. First Peter 5:6-7 says “Humble yourself, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxieties on Him because he cares for you.”
I prayed to God, saying I was sorry for serving myself, pleasing myself, and not placing God before me. Not many years after, the Lord
opened a door of ministry for me once more. Praise God, I am still remembered by Him and have been restored for His glory!
– Ken Mitsuing
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org