"Ministry"...what is it and why do we do it?
Ministry is one thing - an outpouring of our passion and love for the Lord. It is the fruit of a life lived for Him. As a result of single minded devotion, we serve Him wherever He places us. Large or small, the job is irrelevant. What matters is that service is our way of saying "thank you" for His sacrifice in our lives.
Unfortunately, all too often the ministry ceases to be about Him and the focus shifts to our needs. What are we getting out of it? Of course this is a heart issue, one seen only by God. Others will see us serving tirelessly and be none the wiser. Truth be told, we may fail to even recognize it in ourselves. I believe most of us do it unintentionally, choosing instead to believe our motives are pure. We mean well, but we have failed to take a good hard look at our heart issues and underlying motivations. Ministry makes us feel...needed? Valued? Validated? You fill in the blank. If we're not careful, the ministry itself becomes the god. We are no longer working for HIS glory, but to fill a need (perceived or not) in our own lives.
I've been guilty of it - becoming so focused on the ministry, that I am no longer serving Him, but my own interests. It's at that point I am relying on my own strength to get the job done. I am no longer His vessel. He is not working through me because I am in the way. My passion and love for Him has taken a backseat to my own needs. I'm sure He shakes His head at me and steps back..."OK, you think you can do it. Have at it. When you finally figure out you can't, I'll be here and we'll start over." His grace truly is amazing.
Ministry is NOT about me...or you. It's about passionately loving God and allowing that passion to spill out on everything we do. THAT is ministry at its finest.
Ministry is one thing - an outpouring of our passion and love for the Lord. It is the fruit of a life lived for Him. As a result of single minded devotion, we serve Him wherever He places us. Large or small, the job is irrelevant. What matters is that service is our way of saying "thank you" for His sacrifice in our lives.
Unfortunately, all too often the ministry ceases to be about Him and the focus shifts to our needs. What are we getting out of it? Of course this is a heart issue, one seen only by God. Others will see us serving tirelessly and be none the wiser. Truth be told, we may fail to even recognize it in ourselves. I believe most of us do it unintentionally, choosing instead to believe our motives are pure. We mean well, but we have failed to take a good hard look at our heart issues and underlying motivations. Ministry makes us feel...needed? Valued? Validated? You fill in the blank. If we're not careful, the ministry itself becomes the god. We are no longer working for HIS glory, but to fill a need (perceived or not) in our own lives.
I've been guilty of it - becoming so focused on the ministry, that I am no longer serving Him, but my own interests. It's at that point I am relying on my own strength to get the job done. I am no longer His vessel. He is not working through me because I am in the way. My passion and love for Him has taken a backseat to my own needs. I'm sure He shakes His head at me and steps back..."OK, you think you can do it. Have at it. When you finally figure out you can't, I'll be here and we'll start over." His grace truly is amazing.
Ministry is NOT about me...or you. It's about passionately loving God and allowing that passion to spill out on everything we do. THAT is ministry at its finest.
Amen and Amen Angela! Thanks for writing this. I know I'm guilty of getting tired and feeling unappreciated. I know then my focus has slipped from pleasing God to getting "results" from others.
ReplyDeletePreach it, sister!
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with you.
It's a tricky place to be sometimes, feeling needed (or valued, or validated...) and not letting that feeling take over the purpose of what you're doing.
It's all about Him. And when we remember that Truth, well, ministry happens and God is glorified.
A little hello from a face from your not too distant past.
ReplyDeleteIn looking through an old OLD Schoolhouse, I found the address to your old blog, and when I went there, I found your link to this blog.
I had wondered about you not too long ago, when I happened to drive by Meadowgrass Street. I was trying to think how old your kiddoes would be now. I came up with 12, 10, 8, and 4. Am I right?
Anyhow, I don't have a blog, but if you'd like, you're welcome to email me at royalrock@q.com.
About this post, such true words. For YEARS, my ministry was all about the applause of man. I worked tirelessly, just so I would be praised and honored for my works. Those works will not stand the test of fire.
Anyhow, blessings to you and yours.
Love,
Patti Gardner