iShineInMinistry

Philippians 2:3-5 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

Life in full-time ministry is full of amazingly unique experiences and opportunities to help and serve others. Once we get the call, we get to be used for a specific purpose that God has made just for our fearfully and wonderfully made selves. As we do the work of the ministry and get to hear praise reports about great things God did that we have the privilege to be part of, we do need to stand guard to make sure our heart to serve doesn't change from one that wants to humbly walk in this calling to one that just wants to be part of the 'elite inner circle' of being in ministry.

Obviously, we all know that there is no such thing as this elite inner circle, but as time continues and the ministries we lead begin to bear fruit, we can start to become puffed up in our excitement in all that God is doing in the area where we serve. We then think that we have gotten to a certain place where we just need to be seen at outreaches and seen around the 'right people' so we can continue to have the appearance of those same humble servants we were once upon a time.

As we continue on this path, our hearts start to want to be served as leaders rather than humbly serve and be an example of a godly leader. We have to be so discerning and make sure to always do a heart check, because once we get to this place, we may get stuck there and not be effective in a way that is pleasing to God. In these times, God can still be gracious and allow our ministries to do well, which can then allow our pride to deceive us into thinking we are okay right where we are; however, we need to get back to that place of love, where we esteem others higher than ourselves and come to serve with a sincere heart.

We need to have God search and examine our hearts often in full-time ministry because the last place we want to be is seen as a "serve-me leader" rather than a servant leader. Let's always have that humble, loving heart that wants to serve God in a way that truly honors Him, brings Him glory and gives Him the praise when He is gracious enough to allow the things we do to bear fruit. We have the perfect example of the servant leader to follow, so let's be obedient as He directs us in our calling.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart...

And see if there is any wicked way in me...

Do you truly have a heart to serve or do you just want to be in charge of things? What example are you giving to the people that serve under you and to the people you disciple? Would you want to serve alongside yourself if you were a volunteer? Ask God to search your heart to see what your true motives are in ministry....

Matthew 28:19- Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…

I am sitting in front of my computer typing during one of our breaks as we host a Pastors’ conference in Mexico, thinking about all of the things the Lord exhorts us to do in our journey of faith. This week has been filled with God’s faithfulness, protection, provision and sovereign timing from start to finish and I am so glad I was able to be part of this amazing week of ministry. I was added to the trip last minute and was not on the original list of people to serve at the conference; thankfully at the last minute a spot was made available for me to attend.

My first thought was excitement that I would be able to come to Mexico, visit with the missionaries and help with all of the details of executing the conference. However, as the days drew closer, I knew that I missed informational meetings and that there were so many other things I was supposed to be doing. This realization brought a feeling of apprehension. I thought about saying ‘never mind’ about coming a couple of times (especially as I packed the night before and had so many other things to get in order before our 8:00am departure the next day), but I felt God telling me, “Just Go”!

If I didn’t go, I would not have been able to be used by God in such amazingly different ways than my normal way of helping (which is mostly administrative). I would not have received this special time of fellowship with all of the other volunteers that were able to attend and help. I would not have been able to be a blessing to the Pastor’s wives that entrusted us on the Children’s Ministry team to care for their little ones as they got to have a time of refreshing and I would not have been able to see God make a divine appointment with a deaf girl in the midst of her discouraging situation to show His faithfulness.

When God gives you a task, the first reaction should always be to ‘just go’. I know that I sometimes lean more towards planning and using the spiritual gift of administration that I have been blessed with to make sure that every single detail is in perfect order. If I would have took a step back out of what God led me to do this week, I would not have gotten to see Him bless me in a whole other way, completely different from the many times before when He has shown up in the middle of mayhem. We need to always be ready to let the Spirit lead and direct us to just go in a new direction, a sometimes-unknown direction that makes us have nothing else but faith. These moments allow us to see what an awesome and intricately detailed God we serve and then allow His great commission to be accomplished in new and exciting ways.

Proverbs 16:9- A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Do you 'just go' when God directs you to do something? Are you willing to serve God and fulfill His great commission in new ways that aren’t familiar to you? Do you always lean on your own plans instead of God’s prompting when you are doing the work of the ministry?

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

God has a way of truly being our strength as everything else crumbles around us. His presence and peace allow us to look at situations with a different vantage point and look for ways that He can move in the midst of trouble. I had to come to this realization as I was in the ER waiting area for the second day in a row. Watching someone have medical issues that don't seem to want to come to an end can be overwhelming, heart wrenching and admittedly frustrating.

In the times when it feels like the mayhem of life just won't end, our hearts have to remember the following and take refuge:

Mark 10:27... with God all things are possible.”

God can make anything happen! He rules and reigns, He is sovereign and amazing, so of course we can take refuge and He can be our strength when the problems before us seem so far out of reach. He is able and we need to be steadfast, praying and asking for Him to grow our trust as He shows us new ways to believe He can do all things.

We also need to let Him comfort and keep us. He wants to be the One we always come to- He's our loving Father...

Psalm 94:19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,Your comforts delight my soul.

What attributes of God can we meditate on while trouble looms that will delight our souls? His faithfulness, His lovingkindness, how gracious and merciful He is, even when we don't deserve it? Let those truths melt fear, anxiousness and doubt as we rest in Him.

I know sometimes we just want the storms and the troubles to be over for ourselves and the people that we minister to on a daily basis...but we need to give God the opportunity to be our strength and remind us Who we belong to. He will be ever present, waiting for us to allow Him to work.

What problem is troubling you? Have you given it to God? Do you trust that He will fix it (in His timing and not yours)? How do you also give God things that you can't control in ministry?

Philippians 2:14-15 KJV

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

There are seven things coming at you all at once- a ministry outreach, a mission trip, retreat planning, a memorial service, a meeting in five minutes, someone giving you a task to complete and someone just got transferred to your phone line because they are in need of prayer for their struggling marriage! There is never a dull moment in full-time ministry, someone or something is always placed before you. In all of these occurrences, you somehow need to find time to tend to your personal devotional time and possibly even eat lunch during the day...it all seems so difficult to take in. But be joyful in the fact that God has counted you faithful to be in this calling, no matter how incredibly hectic it can feel.

Talking to that same person for the sixth time in a week about the same struggle can get discouraging. Forgetting to put the handouts on the tables for the morning Bible study can temporarily frustrate you. Leaving your passport on the kitchen counter and realizing it after you have already reached the airport for your mission trip may be an aggravating moment, but don't lose heart. Do the things God called you to with a happy and content heart, so that the vision to reach a lost and dying world is always what directs your heart and in turn allows you to shine bright for Jesus in each situation that comes upon you.

When you are at a loss, take a moment, stop and pray. Don't complain, get annoyed or blame-shift in these moments. Tame your tongue and keep your flesh out of the mix of your ministering. Get your eyes on things above. Don't allow all the things that are going on to get your heart hardened or turn your attitude south. Remember that you are called for such a time as this to be that humble, ready vessel that gives glory to God. Let these frustrations be another opportunity to show your character, one that is pleasing to God, has the fruit of the spirit of self-control and stays the course as you cling to God.

Galatians 6:9 KJV

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Are you getting tired and frustrated? Are you losing hope because you feel like there is too much to do? Are you starting to complain or get flustered with others? How do you guard against these things when ministry gets too fast and busy?

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

I love the joy of serving in full-time ministry at a church, being able to see, interact and intercede for the people of God all day, every day. I love talking to the youth and young women, I love reading Bible stories to toddlers or cuddling a teething baby...or sharing a scripture just when someone needs it. I also love that I don't have to be perfect to serve at the church...because I so am NOT perfect at all!

Sometimes it seems as if people want their church workers to be these prefect people that say the right thing, pray the perfect prayer and always look like nothing bad could possibly go wrong in their lives. This unrealistic expectation can cause two major issues- pressure to perform for the person working in full-time ministry as well as a person in ministry who seems like they can't relate to anyone that has real-life issues.

How can someone that never has trials meet you where you are in your situation? How can someone that is "perfect" all the time show compassion for the sin someone perpetually struggles with? A transparent ministry member that shows they depend on and rely on the same God as everyone else is the one that impacts more for Christ. That person is real, sincere and genuine; she (or he) is someone that you can tell is a work in progress, but one that also trusts in The Lord with all her (or his) heart.

As you continue in the work of the ministry and remember that God is still doing the work in you, encourage others with the fact that you aren't where you used to be, but still have a long way to go on your journey of faith just like they have a long way to go. Be that light that shines love and sincerity as you bless those God puts in your path and run this race with endurance. Be that source of encouragement as you also play the cheerleader in the lives of others seeking The Lord. It's okay that you are the imperfect hands and feet doing the will of God, we all are- otherwise we would not need a Savior. As you love the people of God, show who you really are and Christ continues the good work in your life, you will be that example of one that loves Jesus and serves with sincerity- a transparent person that wants more of God...who gets the blessing of working in full-time ministry. Let people know that you did not get there because you're perfect and you've earned that position, but that you are there because you also know how if feels as God is completing the work until the day of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:9

not of works, lest anyone should boast.

You're not perfect, but you are in ministry...praise The Lord for His grace as you serve with gladness and do His will.