iShineInMinistry

Proverbs 19:21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

Chances are if you are a woman in full-time ministry you may exhibit the Spiritual Gift of Administration. You can plan, put together, make things lovely and be as efficient as a multi-million dollar party planning corporation! You can make center pieces, order all logistics and still manage to allow God to speak words to you to put a teaching together. Since planning could basically be your middle name, it comes as no surprise that you may sometimes get a little too detailed and possibly leave little or no room for the Holy Spirit to become part of your itinerary.

Of course we would not say something like that outright; but we may start to look at the clock, as the worship leader feels led to pray and sing one more song that the Lord just laid on her heart. Or, we may want to redirect that new lady in our Bible study group that seems to have gone off on a rabbit trail because she is fretting about a major trial happening in her household. What if that song is the song that God uses when a wayward wife wants to rededicate her life to Jesus? What if we took the time to stop and pray for the frantic lady that seems to have gotten off track of question number four? What if we know that we have a schedule that God has shown us, but we are willing to allow Him to ultimately be in control of all aspects of the ministry?

As we get seasoned in doing things well (praise the Lord for the giftings He gives) we have to remember that the One who has blessed us with these gifts is the one who is truly in control of that study He led us to start or that outreach He gave us the vision to put on during the summer. God has so many ways He wants to intricately and intimately speak to His people, including you and me. So, let’s place our plans before God, put the clipboard (or iPad) down and allow Him to make the most of these moments of ministry He so graciously allows us to have as we serve Him.

Jeremiah 33:3- ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

When God gives you the vision to put something together, do you take it and run without leaving room for Him to work? Will you pray over your gift of planning and ask the Lord to show up in the events, ministries and Bible studies He has given you to lead?