This post was updated 9th June 2018
A Little Background
In the year 2000, the Lord called my husband, Henson, and therefore the entire family, to serve Him in a full-time call. That is, give up his day job and follow Him. In 2004, with no job on the horizon, we officially stepped out. Since then, we have grown from a family of 6 to a family of 9, living each day by faith that He would provide for our growing family in every way. And He has. We serve a faithful God!
This assignment from the Lord has led us through an exciting journey of faith indeed. But we had no idea what else the Lord had in store for us. In 2013, Henson was called out by God again from his position as Dean of a School of Ministry and as a Deputy Senior Pastor of a local church to start a new ministry.
Archippus Awakening
On 3rd August 2014, Archippus Awakening was born. What is Archippus Awakening? It is a new and fresh ministry dedicated to the awakening of saints that they may know and fulfil their God-given Kingdom assignments. Read more about the ministry at its official website, Archippus Awakening.
In order to get this message into more hands and awaken more saints, the Lord put into Henson’s heart to write a book.
Say To Archippus
So Say To Archippus in English was born on 27th May 2015 and a Chinese translation of the same book was commissioned on 5th September 2016.
What Has This Got to Do with Mothers?!
The book’s main message is for the Lord’s saints to wake up from their slumber, align with the Lord’s purpose, and be faithful and diligent to perform the tasks that He has assigned to each of us.
But what has this got to do with mothers you ask? Quite a lot, actually! 🙂 As Henson writes in page 51 of the book, “Every believer has an assigned task that contributes to the greater mission of the kingdom of God.” Yes, EVERY believer. Let me repeat, if you are a believer, you HAVE an assigned task. Do you know what your assignment from the Lord is?
It is easy for many of us to fall into the trap of thinking that we cannot contribute much to the Kingdom of God, and/or to serve in any ministry because the children take up too much time and energy, both mental and physical. But this is because we have a very narrow view of what ministry is. As he writes, “Over time and tradition, ministry has come to denote something we do in church.” page 106.
What is Ministry?
Ministry is not confined to the Church’s premises nor the Church’s programmes. Giving encouragement to a fellow mother feeling down is ministry. Offering to babysit a neighbour’s child so that she can go for a job interview is ministry. Looking after your children at home is ministry. Caring for your elderly and sick parents is ministry. The question to ask is WHAT is my assignment from the Lord, even in this season of mothering? *
Where is Ministry?
Instead of thinking that we cannot contribute effectively to the Kingdom, we ought to be thinking and asking, WHERE is our Area of Operation? (See Chapter 7 of the book for more on this).
The usual Areas of Operation are in Ministries and Churches, and in the Marketplace and Businesses. But there is also the Area of Operation in Marriages and Families.
Marriages and Families as a Ministry?
Are you aware that our marriages can be “used powerfully by the Lord”? The Bridegroom and the Bride is the picture of Jesus and His Church. Are we reflecting that in our marriages? Or are we more concerned about our rights and whose turn it is to feed and change the baby?
Motherhood as an Assignment?
Yes, motherhood is an assignment from the Lord. I have shared before on how we ought to view Motherhood as a Ministry. Henson also reminds us, that we are “not to just raise moral children with good grades and manners but even more Archippuses for Jesus.” page 90. After all, God did say in the Book of Malachi that he is looking for godly offspring (Malachi 2:15).
RELATED POSTS
My Mother’s Day message – Motherhood as a ministry and Be Encouraged to see motherhood as a ministry
Archippus Awakening Another Archippus
What about this sentence in the book, “Archippus Awakening is really about one Archippus awakening another Archippus and then walking and growing with them and directing them towards faithful ministry.” page 93
Doesn’t that sound like what a mother is supposed to be doing? Awakening our children to God and His Kingdom? Walking and growing with them to the ministry that He has called them to? Helping them discern what the Lord is doing in their lives?
Yes, YOU are an Archippus too!
And yet, many of us spend more time directing our children’s academic achievements and enrichment activities instead of directing their spiritual walk. Some of us even spend more time counselling and meeting the spiritual needs of those around us instead of our children’s.
Say OUCH! I am guilty too! 🙁
But never mind. It is not too late to do a stock take and turn things around.
Stocktake
If you know your assignment from the Lord, then the question to ask is, “Am I doing what I have been assigned by the Lord to do?” Because “we must be provoked to constantly evaluate and examine the activities we are engaged in.” page 105.
Why?
“It is critical that we know this ministry or assignment so that we do not run all over the place.” After all, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 reminds us to run in such a way that we may obtain the prize and not with uncertainty. (See page 112). In other words, don’t waste time and energy on the wrong things.
Are you running all over the place and feeling burned out? Do a stock take. Are you doing what the Lord has asked you to do? Or have you accepted certain responsibilities and roles that you felt pressured to accept? If it is of the Lord, go back to Him and ask Him how you are to manage it. Remember, God’s assignments must be done God’s ways. If it is not of the Lord’s, finish up the appointment as best as you can and decline further appointments.
Challenged
Recently I was challenged by someone on this. She asked why I was not serving in a capacity she thought I ought to be serving in. I was taken aback. But having mulled over it and going back to what I know the Lord said to me, I was clear. That capacity she thought I should be serving in is not where I should be – for now at least. Never say never, remember? 🙂
But it was a good “shock” to me. One can easily get complacent in our Area of Operation and just settle. It is good to always take stock and ask the Lord – time to move on? Move down? Move up? Stay status quo?
Alignment First!
Are you asking God for your assignment? That is good! But it is better if you ALIGN yourself to the Lord first. Otherwise the tendency is to just take what’s offered and run with it. That would be the fastest way to crash and burn.
Want to Find Out More?
1. Browse the official website, Archippus Awakening.
2. Read Say to Archippus. You can get a copy of the book, Say To Archippus in English or in Chinese and read it at your own pace, make notes, and ponder over the questions Henson provides at the end of each chapter.
3. Kingdom 101. Learn more about Kingdom living at our weekly expository teachings every Wednesday night at FGA Singapore or listen to the recording HERE or via our Sound Cloud Channel.
4. Awakened, Aligned, Assigned Seminars & Retreats
On a regular basis, our ministry, Archippus Awakening holds seminars and retreats to help awakened saints realign themselves to the Lord so as to fulfil the assignments the Lord has placed on their lives. Get updates from our ministry by signing up at this link.
Are You Doing What You are Supposed to be Doing?
“The times are urgent and there is work to be done. We have each received a ministry or assignment in the Lord but are we faithful to fulfil it?” page 22. And remember, busyness does not mean fruitfulness, as Henson likes to say.
A side note :
- For those who are chafing to serve and do, and feel that the children are holding them back: hold your horses! The children are NOT obstacles, they’re NOT holding you back. The Lord never gives children to us to hold us back and block our desire to serve Him. Children are NOT punishment. There is obviously something that God wants you to learn in this season. Don’t rush ahead of God. Much can be learnt in the meantime. Your season will come.
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