“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

During prayer with one of my sister’s about a week ago, the Holy Spirit said: “Do not move or shift from your office.” As we unpacked this word, we were reminded that there are specific divine benefits to being found in office. This office can be explained as a place where our Creator has positioned us.
To illustrate this, think of the difference between a permanent employee and a contract worker. While both are technically employed by the same organisation, their experiences are different. A permanent employee enjoys a level of coverage and protection in the event of an incident that a contractor simply does not. The permanent employee is not just a visitor; she is a fixture. She understands the organisation’s policies, she is intimately familiar with the premises, and she knows the regulations by heart. Most importantly, as long as she remains in that office, she is entitled to every benefit the organisation offers. She doesn’t just work there; she belongs there. In the same way, when we refuse to vacate the spiritual office God has given us, we remain under the full coverage and benefit of His divine Kingdom.
It’s important to note that we are in office not merely as servants of God, but as His children. We serve a Father who loves us deeply, constantly showering us with His goodness and mercy. This week, I want to remind you of the highest calling; one whose benefits extend far beyond this life. Our Father doesn’t keep a book of our failures or a note of the times we couldn’t show up; no matter how we present ourselves to Him, He accepts us. Consider the story of the two sons. One stayed with the father while the other left to waste his fortune. When his resources ran dry, he didn’t return home immediately; instead, he took menial jobs, eventually finding himself feeding pigs. He became a beggar while his father remained wealthy. Finally, he thought, “I would rather be a servant in my father’s house than a beggar anywhere else.” But nothing in this world could change his identity. He may not have felt like a son, but his father knew he had a son out there. The Bible tells us that while the boy was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Imagine the prodigal son, rehearsing his apology and pleading for mercy, only to find love already waiting for him. That realisation alone can heal a soul; it can bring entirely new meaning to a person’s life. Even when we feel we have left our post, our identity as children remains, and the Father is always watching the horizon for our return.
Then there is the older brother. He had stayed by his father’s side all these years, but when he heard the music and realised a party was being thrown for his brother’s return, envy took root. In that moment of anger, he forgot that there were already benefits with his name on them. His faithfulness had evidently begun to feel like a burden. Staying with his father had started to feel like a job rather than a privilege. We see this in his bitter response to his father: “How many years have I worked like a slave for you, performing every duty you’ve asked as a faithful son?” Luke15:29. He was physically in the house, but mentally, he had moved from the office of a son to the mindset of a slave. He had lost sight of the inheritance that was already his.
He had reached a point where his sense of sonship had vanished, replaced by the identity of a slave. Once again, we see a son shifting from his true office. He believed that to possess what belonged to his father, he had to perform. He was blindsided by resentment, thinking: “I’ve done all these things; I woke up on days I was exhausted and performed every duty asked of me.”
He felt he had earned a party and a goat to feast with his friends. But his inheritance was far greater than a single feast. His father’s response was simple and piercing: “My son, you are always with me by my side. Everything I have is yours to enjoy.”Luke 15:31 TPT. He didn’t have to work to occupy what was already his; it was his birthright. Unlike the obligations or fleeting promises of this world, his reward was guaranteed; it wasn’t dependent on a specific performance. Perhaps all he had to do was ask, or better yet, simply take what was already his. Their father celebrated because the younger brother, who had forgotten who he was, had finally come home.
Notice how even the pursuit of what we call fulfilment and busyness can cause us to shift from our office? Remember: you are not serving as a slave. While you serve, stay in communion with our Father. You need to be able to hear His voice on this journey. This world is not our home, and you must stay tuned to what God is saying to ensure you stay on course. When trouble comes, He will comfort you and fight for you. God’s Word is His surety to us; there is nothing greater or more real than His promises to His children.
If you ever feel that your service is unnoticed or unappreciated, take heart. Remember Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Your work may look like a pursuit of a paycheck or wealth, but you must do it as though you are doing it directly for the Lord; because, in truth, you are doing it with Him. Refuse to let the fleeting benefits of this world distract you from the real reason you are in office.
While there are earthly principles you must abide by, remember that you are a child of the Most High; therefore, work with precision and excellence. If there are deadlines, meet them. If there are targets, exceed them. Even on the days you fall short of those goals, show up and give your absolute best. Keep this mind; “since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving’ (Colossians 3:24 NIV).” Develop a plan to meet your targets and, if necessary, put in the extra hours. Labour as a son of God; one whose Father can command fish to appear where there were none before. Do you see now how vital it is to remain in your office? When you stay at your post, whatever challenges arise will find you in the company of Heavenly hosts with great help and counsel.
Recall when prophets Elisha’s servant was alarmed by the enemy surrounding them. Elisha asked the Lord to open the young man’s real eyes; to see beyond the limitations of human sight. When his eyes were opened, he saw angels stationed all around them. Remaining in your office makes this kind of life your reality. When others see only defeat, the Holy Spirit will reveal the victory ahead. This is how you walk through the fire with boldness and confidence, knowing that your Father is fully in charge.
Daniel lived out this same principle. When a new law was signed making his devotion illegal, he refused to vacate his position. He couldn’t afford to stop praying for even a moment; instead, he maintained his post and continued burning the incense of his daily intercession. Though continuing appeared dangerous, he stood his ground. And when the earthly consequences finally came, God showed up in the midst of them. Any person who remains in their office will receive a reward from our Father. He sees you, and He values you.
Refuse to be silenced and refuse to become stagnant in your labour. Choose to be one of the few labourers the Bible speaks of; those who have the spiritual eyes to perceive the plentiful harvest described in Matthew 9:37-38. Stay in your office, stay in your calling, and watch how the Father honour your faithfulness.
We need to remain in our office because when Jesus returns, He has to find us actively doing exactly what He instructed us to do. We cannot afford to shift our ground or allow our motives to change. Everything we are and everything we possess belongs to Him.
If you have moved from that position for any reason, come back. Heaven is already anticipating your return; God is ready to overwhelm you with His love and His embrace. If you feel you have lost your fire or find yourself unable to pray, simply close your eyes and say this: “Lord, I am here. I bring myself before You today. You have called me, and in this moment, I am saying “Yes.” I present my body, soul, and mind back to You. Ignite my fire, Lord, so that when Jesus returns, I may be counted among those who faithfully served Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jesus needs to find us exactly where He positioned us. Whatever has happened to cause you to drift, I pray that you heal from it. Forgive if you must, but come back.
There is a woman in the Bible who needed to return so desperately that she took an expensive perfume and threw herself at the feet of Jesus. It didn’t matter what the onlookers whispered; she needed her identity back. She knew she was a daughter. Her circumstances tried to tell her otherwise, but she returned without pretences; it was simply a moment between a daughter and her Lord.
As she ministered to Jesus, she experienced a love like never before. The whispers of the world faded, and once again, she was in office. You still have a place in Jesus. He promised that He was going ahead to prepare a place for us. Return to Him now, so that when He comes, you can go home with Him and stand before the Almighty God; the One for whom we labour, and the One we are getting ready to meet face to face.
Let’s pray;
Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for reminding us once again of our identity and our purpose for living. What a blessing it is to belong to You. Today, I join my faith with everyone reading this, and I pray that we would stand unshaken and immovable. No matter what challenges are presented before us, I declare that we are the children of God. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of this truth every single day. Until the moment we lock eyes with Jesus, may we be inspired to fulfill everything You have sent us to do. We thank You that we are fully empowered both to be who You called us to be and to do Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, Amen!!!