While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said…(Acts 13:2 – ESV)
Your ministry to God is more important, and comes before, your ministry for God.
How many times do we fail this standard? We may have some great revelation, some wonderful thing to say, some great idea, but we are so driven we forget our true purpose. It isn’t about what God has given us, or what we think we know but others don’t, it is God Himself that matters. The deal is already done, it is our privilege to proclaim it, not rush to name it and claim it. You don’t always have to “get on with it”; sometimes the interruptions are the main thing itself.
This is where many otherwise gifted people become blind. They are asleep to a big part of life. Indeed, many who are getting excited about the things of God don’t recognize the process God uses to grow us up. The reason so many don’t recognize opportunities to minister is because they think they have something “better” or “bigger” to do at the moment God is bringing a “certain person” or situation into focus. Often it is a situation that they need to learn to be able to handle that “bigger thing” when it comes along. However, that big thing won’t come along or we won’t be successful at it until we learn these smaller lessons, which of course are not smaller at all, just smaller in our own, finite minds.
That is the overall thrust of what I am trying to say today. We must acknowledge God, in humility, in weakness and in strength, we must thank Him for all the things that come before us, and all of these things are opportunities to minister, or be ministered to.
It isn’t about acquiring ministry, but about being ready and available for ministry, not as we see it, but as God calls us to it. Think about Peter and John at the gate beautiful (Acts 3:1-2): that man was there every day, but the Apostles knew exactly when they should do the works of God. Think about Jesus, and the “certain man” at the pool, how come he got healed (John 5:5-8) and Jesus left the other sick folk alone? Minister in the place God has you now; you are there for a reason. Why should He move you on when you won’t give Him glory where you are now?
8 comments:
Where 'ya at? is as important as where 'ya goin....
To clarify that last comment...
Well as far as ministry opportunities are concerned, not all inclusive, to wit, it matters more that we are going to heaven than that we are on earth...
I wore a Superman costume to work yesterday, and most people here do not dress up. In fact, there was only one other person who wore a proper costume. She was a bumblebee. It was cute, but nothing trumps Superman. I even did the curly thing with my hair all gelled.
My pastor laughed pretty hard when I showed up to prayer meeting that way, just after doing my thing with the kids, and today, my coworkers keep calling me "Superman."
But that's okay. I like Superman. I also like "Smallville." It's so neat to see how the amazing man of steel stumbles through, ignorant of all that he is to become, and yet, learning more and growing each week. Come to think of it, that concept is not too far separated from your post which talks about divine interruptions helping us grow into all that we are intended to be, isn't it?
11/1/06
This is a liberating post, spiritually speaking.
"so driven we forget our true purpose. .. it is God Himself that matters. "
Amen.
The genuine born again believer can become so distracted, and so caught up in things, and even feel condemned for not doing more, when we need to simply be still and know that He is Jesus Christ our Savior and God, and that He is the Gospel, the good news.
Yes, it can be quite a freeing experience, all over again...
I very often like the way you cut a phrase sir. "Your ministry to God is more important, and comes before, your ministry -for- God."
So very, very true. One can have the latter without even being a Christian.
AMEN!!!
Susan
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