The Test of Obedience through Pain - by Apostle Dr. Margaret Lee

Guest Minister, Apostle Dr. Margaret Lee, during the 16th-Anniversary celebrations of Lighthouse Empowerment Sanctuary, what we call call "Glory Fest" (a week of celebratory services in the 1st week of December commemorative of the Ministry's anniversary), delivers an impactful word. She reflects on the personal hardships and divine interventions she experienced while traveling to the event, including physical injury and vehicle trouble. Her message centers on the importance of total obedience to God’s will rather than following personal desires or worldly trends. She specifically honors the church’s leadership for their faithfulness and sacrifice over nearly two decades of ministry. Ultimately, the Apostle emphasizes that holiness and spiritual fruit are the essential requirements for navigating the challenges of the last days.Key Points: Apostle Lee defines the relationship between personal suffering and ministerial success as one where outward success is the direct result of endurance through private hardship and sacrifice. She challenges the idea that reaching significant milestones in ministry is merely a result of talent or spiritual gifts.Apostle Lee's perspective includes the following key insights:Longevity Requires Suffering: She explicitly states that reaching 16 years in ministry does not happen because a leader is "anointed" or has "gifts". Instead, it requires "a lot of tears," "a lot of heartache," and "a lot of sacrifice".The Hidden "Price" of Success: Lee notes that while observers see the "amen" of a successful ministry, they often miss the "sacrifices, a lot of prayer, a lot of crying" that occurred behind the scenes. She suggests that the public "smile" and confident posture of a minister often mask a heavy personal price that the congregation may never fully understand.Pastoring as a "Lonely Place": She describes the nature of ministerial work, specifically pastoring, as "not easy," "a lonely place," and "a place of tears and heartache". However, she views this suffering as worth the cost because of the certainty of her calling, stating she "won't give it up for nothing".Obedience Over Circumstance: In her own experience, Lee highlights that personal suffering often manifests as obstacles designed to stop a minister's work. She describes traveling to minister despite a hand injury, floods, and her car catching fire, asserting that success is found in choosing to go "anyhow".The Goal is God's Will, Not Ease: True success is defined as doing things "God's way" rather than following one's own desires. She points to Jesus in Gethsemane as the "perfect example" of this relationship, where he experienced deep distress and sorrow but ultimately submitted his will to the Father's. She concludes that God sees a leader's "faithfulness" through their tears and accepts those hardships as part of their service.Apostle Lee frames ministerial success as a test of obedience through pain, suggesting that those who stand in their calling despite heartache are the ones God will continue to use and bless.Rec. Date: 6th December, 2023