Welcome to Wednesday, the second day of the new year. Two blogs in a row, and it feels like I'm on a roll! And, with this new day, we have a new topic... er, topics. I was searching for one word that would be perfect for what I wanted to talk about today, but there wasn't a single word that would do it. Actually, I take that back. There may very well be a word, but, as a minister, I do love my alliteration, so for Wednesday, it had to be a "W" word. Failing to find a single word that would encompass the idea for the day, I went with three.
Welcome to Wisdom, Worship, and Wonderment Wednesday!
A very wise preacher once told me that ministry is the overflow of personal devotion. It is a simple enough statement, but one that has vexed me.
Vexed me?!? Yep. See, it is possible to serve in a ministry without being right spiritually. When that is done, it becomes very much a chore, an earthly job... but it can be done. Is it effective? In as much as it does for others, it can be.
The person doing the work can convince themselves that that is enough... for a while.
But, ministry isn't designed to just be work. It is supposed to be a sacred duty that, when performed, helps others, but also renews the spirit of the individual in service. Without both aspects, it becomes an increasingly stressful task that can cause the one attempting to do it to become bitter and resentful.
That's the dangerous part. I've known a lot of people that have burned out in ministry because they were focused so much on the work that they neglected their own spiritual wellbeing. To those around them, it looks as if they are doing what God wants them to do. In truth, the strain of service coupled with their own spiritual struggle is crushing their spirit.
And, in case you didn't know it, folks, God has no interest in crushing your spirit.I mean, c'mon, this is the same God that promises that if we wait on Him, we will run and not get weary, that we will soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31)! That is not spirit crushing, that is uplifting.
We sometimes want our ministry to be successful, and we'll work toward that, pushing and shoving our way through... neglecting the most important aspect as we do. And, then, when we burn out for lack of spiritual renewal, where is the ministry left? Without a leader, it dwindles and fades.
The ministries we are involved in depend on us, but not merely for those things that we do. Remember that before you get busy and skip you daily devotional time with God.
Type at you later.
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