“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever!”
How do we thank God?
After many months or years in the ministry, does it feel the same as the first time we got into it? Are we still very eager to go to church on any day of the week, ready to give a hand to help prepare for the Sunday Service? Or do we feel that we need a break from all the busyness in the ministry and have nearly reached the point of quitting?
I want to share this poem that really made me check myself and the way I have acted towards my ministry:
MINISTRY OR JOB?
-Anna Sandberg-
Some people have a job in the church
Others invite themselves in a ministry.
What’s the difference?
If you are doing it because no one else will, it’s a job;
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry.
If you quit because somebody criticized you; it’s a job;
If you keep on serving, it’s a ministry.
If you’ll do it as long as it does not interfere with your other activities, it’s a job;
If you are committed to staying with even it means letting go other things, it’s a ministry.
If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it’s a job;
If you stayed with even though nobody recognized your effort, it’s a ministry.
It’s almost impossible not to get excited about ministry.
If your concern is success, it’s a job;
If your concern is faithfulness, it’s a ministry.
An average church is filled with people doing jobs.
A great and growing church is filled with people involved in a ministry.
Where do you fit in? What about us?
If God calls you in a ministry, don’t treat it like a job.
If you have a job, give it up and find a ministry.
God doesn’t make us feel stuck with a job,
But excited and faithful to the Lord in a ministry.
Is our attitude toward our ministry pleasing to the Lord? Is this our act of gratefulness to Him? Having the need to rest is not bad. It’s okay to take time to breathe. Just don’t allow the pressure to overwhelm you.
The Word of the Lord in Colossians 3:16 says:
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Let us always be reminded that whatever we do, there is our Lord who knows and sees everything – all our efforts, commitment and the passion to complete the work that the Lord has given us to do.
Whenever you feel reluctant, timid or tired doing your ministry, just ask yourself: IS THIS MY ACT OF GRATITUDE TO THE LORD? Let us have our hearts checked on a regular basis. Let us soak ourselves in the Word and in prayers. Only then will we be able to know the heart of God, what is good and pleasing to Him.
Always grateful,
HANNA MAY ABALOS
