Consecration
Consecration is a special time for Shiloh. We not only see a brand-new year of our lives, but we also have the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the ministry in which we were assigned. However, what does it really mean? What does it mean to be consecrated to the ministry and work of the church?
The Old Testament references the example of Aaron and his sons who were consecrated to “minister unto God in the priest’s office (Exodus 28:41). In this act or ceremony, God gave specific instructions to consecrate priests for this work (Exodus 29:1-44). But is this enough? Is the attending of a ceremony the only thing required of us as leaders in ministry? The answer, of course, is no. The act of consecration is far more than ceremony. The ceremony is the outward showing of our rededication. But each of us must personally rededicate and commit ourselves to the work and ministry of the church. You will notice that in the New Testament, that the word, consecration is not mentioned at all. Let us examine why this may be.
Consecration is defined as to make holy or to dedicate to a higher purpose. You are being set aside for a specific purpose. It is simply a declaration. In the Old Testament, to note this, sacrifices were made. Animals were set apart and sacrificed as part of the consecration ceremony. The sacrifice was something given to God for Him to use as He pleased. However, Paul said in Romans 12:1 that we all should “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service”. We are the sacrifice that are set aside and given to God for Him to use us as He pleases.
Our Pastor has been teaching from the book of Romans and emphasizes the rededication and the giving of ourselves to the Lord. This act is personal and if done sincerely and whole-heartedly, the real rededication of our hearts and lives will have already taken place and when we stand before the church the outward ceremony will truly be representative of what God has already done in our hearts.
To this end, let us re-examine ourselves and more specifically – our own hearts. Let us rededicate and recommit ourselves to the Lord and to the ministry to which we have been assigned. Let us be leaders that are representative of God. Let us be that “living sacrifice” – set apart for the work of ministry – “holy, well pleasing to God”.
Submitted Sis. Shonna Washington