Over the years I have struggled with priorities and my ministry focus. So, I thought I would share with you some of what I have learned up to this point. Before I tell you about that let me give you a little background concerning my struggles.
Since I totally committed my life to Jesus at the age of 20 I have been convinced that God has called me to do ministry. For me, there was no doubt about it. I did not struggle with being called, for me the struggle has always been in the form of "what exactly does ministry mean?" What kind of minister am I? I have ministered as a pastor, music minister, and youth minister. I have come to realize the counseling and therapy I have done over the years has been ministry also. My father used to tell me that being a therapist and helping others was a ministry in itself but I didn't want to listen because I felt God had other plans… But, it's been 27 years since I accepted the call to ministry and even though I have been involved in many types of ministry I know the counseling and therapy I have done over the years has been just as important as any other ministry I have done.
One of the reasons I have struggled with my call is I know some people in ministry who seem to know beyond a shadow of a doubt what their ministry is and they seem to be perfectly placed in that ministry. I have been guilty of comparing myself to others a lot in the past. So, you have all these others who seem to know exactly what God wants from them and they are doing it and then there's me… Looking back I realize God has used me in all of these roles. For a long time I was frustrated because I was not where I thought I should be but the truth is God is sovereign—He is able to put me where He wants me. What I have realized is all of the different types of ministry I have done have been part of God's plan for me. I'm sure I have made mistakes and pushed ahead when He wanted me to wait or turned left when He wanted right. But, God is able to guide me back to His path as long as I seek His will He will guide me and use me along the way.
Here is a great story which illustrates what I am talking about.
A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do a lot of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Moral:
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding
I have often felt broken and less than others around me—but when I read this story I could certainly relate. We are all unique and God uses our unique abilities and qualities in His amazing way so that He is honored in our lives if we let Him.
So, with that background in mind let me get to my conclusion: God will use you where you are and guide you where He wants you to be. Being called into the ministry is not a thing or a place or a career—ministry is who you are. Ministry flows out of you from the overflow of God's love and grace within you. Also, being called into ministry doesn't mean you are expected to be perfect—God will use your imperfections to do exactly what He wants done. The person called to a ministry of service will serve because that is who he is—you can't stop him. A teacher teaches—no matter what he is doing it comes across as teaching in interactions with others. God's call includes the gifts and abilities to fulfill His call. It is who you are. We are all called to ministry.
As a therapist I have ministered to many hurting people. As a musician I minister through music. When I was a pastor I ministered as a shepherd to part of God's flock. No matter what I am doing I need to allow God's love and mercy to flow from me to the people around me—this is the essence of ministry. Doing or saying out of love and compassion what God would want me to say is what ministry is all about.
One more thing I have concluded is doing everything I can to teach my daughter about Jesus and living a Christian life are right at the top of the list of what I believe God wants me to at this point in my life. What better way can I honor God in my life today than to help my daughter reach her God-given potential? It is all about influence. I need to maximize my influence where I have influence. The single person I have the most influence with in this life is my daughter. I have had the opportunity to lead her and teach her and guide her choices all of her fifteen years on this planet. Even more than that, I have the responsibility to model living a Christian life to her daily. You know what they say a picture is worth a thousand words. A living example of trying to faithfully live as Jesus would want me to live is the very best ministry there is.
I would like to encourage you to allow God to work through you by doing what God has made you to do. Be content with where you are for now but move to where God wants you to move.
I would love to hear your thoughts about this post.
God bless you real good!
Tim
