Ministry Opportunity

Too often we equate busyness for Christ with devotion to Christ. 

But the two are not the same. Like Martha, we may be working so hard for Jesus that we miss what's most important. (see Luke 10:38-42).

Nowhere does the Bible tell us to accept every ministry opportunity that comes our way. Our model for ministry is Jesus. With only three short years of public ministry, he could have frantically rushed from one need to the next; instead, he asked the Father what he wanted him to do. 

He didn't heal every sick person or talk with every seeker. In fact, Jesus often went away by himself or with his disciples to rest. 

Mark 6:32~So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 

If you feel overwhelmed by your ministry commitments, then you need to evaluate with God whether you're trying to establish your identity in your ministry work. Your identity should come from who you are in Christ rather than what you do for him. Ask yourself:

● What is my motivation for doing ministry?

Do you feel guilty or obligated? Deep down, are you trying to  earn  God's favor or the approval of others? These feelings shouldn't motivate you to do ministry-instead, you should minister out of the overflow of the work God is doing in you. 

Proverbs 21:2~People may be right in their own eyes,

but the Lord examines their heart. 

 

● Am I trying to please God or other people? 

People-pleasures often have a hard time saying no. If you are more concerned with pleasing God, then you won't worry so much about what others think of you. 

 

● Am I being faithful for what God has called me to do?

God's calling on your life is first to love him and then to love those he's placed in your immediate circle of care (your spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, etc). 

You should not serve outside that circle if you are neglecting time with God or those closest to you. 

 

● Am I taking away from someone else's gift?

If you agree to every task, you potentially rob others of the ministry opportunities God prepared for them. If you think you're the only one for the job, check yourself and see if pride is creeping in where you least expect it.. 

 

❀Psalm 127:1-2❀

1 Unless the Lord builds a house,

the work of the builders is wasted.

Unless the Lord protects a city,

guarding it with sentries will do no good.

2 It is useless for you to work so hard

from early morning until late at night,

anxiously working for food to eat;

for God gives rest to his loved ones.

 

❀Mark 6:30-32❀

30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. 

32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 

 

❀1 Corinthians 3:5-9❀

5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.  

6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.  

7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 

 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.  

9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.