In my brief years in Christian ministry, I have learnt and seen and am now equipped to talk about certain individuals who do not know that they are prisoners of destiny, who will eventually spiral into wretchedness because they have rejected the call of God for their lives. 

This exposition aims to encourage those who have received one call or another from God not to waste their years pursuing shadows. In the end, they will suffer not only themselves but also their posterity.

The call of destiny is one of subjective truths. A lot of persons believe one thing or the other. My concern is for those who have the calling of God to work in his vineyard as ministers, separated unto the gospel and edification of the church.

Now, we have various ministries in the vineyard of God, with the five-fold ministry being the most prominent. However, ministry extends to music, choral, ushering, and administrative units as well.

God has called individuals into these units and given them the grace to operate within them. All these roles are for the edification, sustenance, and preparation of the church for the day of the Lord.

It is common to see those called into the service of God feeling hesitant and reluctant, refusing to answer the Master’s call. Many fear the hardships that come with ministry and are afraid of a regimented life in Christian service. Some simply love the things of the world more than the things of God.

Regardless of the reasons behind it, when those who are called reject and refuse their assignments, the outcome is often wretchedness, poverty, struggles, and delays.

How do I know this? I once prayed for a man who was wretched, poor, and had contemplated suicide due to his condition. Before we even began praying, the Lord revealed to me that his problems stemmed from a call he didn’t answer. The Lord made it clear to me that anyone who has a call and does not fulfil it will suffer.

During our conversation, he recounted another minister who told him he suffered because he stopped doing the work of God- preaching according to what God had revealed. Then I encouraged him to go back to God’s work. It wasn’t long before the Lord commanded me to lay hands on him for upliftment. He was a prisoner of destiny.

In Bible school, I met ministers who shared how they rebelled and pursued their own desires until they found themselves brought to nothing.

When the Lord positioned me in ministry, He told me clearly that I would do nothing in this world apart from working for Him. At that moment, I understood that there was nothing for me outside of His vineyard. My earthly existence, and everything that pertains to me—both good and bad—has been captured in the destiny and path that God has chosen for me.

If I refuse to obey or hesitate, I will ultimately achieve nothing. Delays, poverty, and wretchedness would unfold in my life because the Creator has nothing for me outside of His vineyard. All the blessings I need for life—whether marital, financial, or otherwise—are encapsulated in His agenda for me. Oh! How wretched am I, for I am a prisoner of destiny. Woe to me if I preach not the gospel.

I know of a lady who had received multiple revelations from the Lord indicating that she was called into kingdom labour. She rejected all advice to walk in the light of her calling. One day, the Lord gave her a revelation in which she saw her heart’s desires—husband, children, and a fulfilling life—within a church environment. This showed her that everything was organised for her according to her divine destiny. Any attempts to exist outside that path would leave her on her own. Alas, she is also among the prisoners of destiny.

Many among us are busy with nothing, wandering, and refusing to answer the call. Some still hope to achieve their dreams outside of their calling, but this will surely lead to suffering and wretchedness. This is what the Lord has told me.

Several biblical passages support and illustrate this truth.

For instance, look at the Prophet Jonah, who rejected the missionary call to Nineveh. He thought he could escape God’s plan, but he nearly paid for it with his life.

Apostle Peter did answer the call but abandoned it and returned to catching fish in John 21. By abandoning the call to fish for men, the fishes in the river swam far from him. The Bible records that he laboured all through the night but caught nothing. 

When Jesus came, He told him to cast the net in the same place he had tried many times in disobedience, and now, in obedience, the fishes came to him. Had Jesus not arrived to reorder Peter and the disciples, they would have entered seasons of hunger, poverty, suffering and wretchedness for abandoning their call.

Perhaps the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9 knew that none dare say no; he knew he was a prisoner when he exclaimed, Woe to me if I preach not the gospel. The word “woe” means great sorrow, disaster, or judgment.

The consequences for refusing God’s call can include:

• Delays and frustrations.
• Lack of stability in life.
• Wretchedness as the eventual outcome.
• Suffering throughout life.
• Possible loss of life or physical well-being.
• Miniature destiny for posterity.