2 Cor. 6:4-10 is another passage where Paul describes the trials and suffering involved with his ministry.
I felt my spirit making a statement and asking a question:
Statement: "Many ministries today involve very comfortable and easy paths to ministry."
Question: "Would ministries today bear more fruit if they followed Paul's model and were more willing to be uncomfortable?"
As I considered the several ministries that I have been a part of, I found that they rarely encountered much distress and definitely nothing compared to Paul's trials.
These ministries varied in their level of "troubles", "hardship", and "distress". All words that Paul uses to describe his work. (NIV)
I know of many missionaries who have given their life to work in extreme conditions, distant countries, and among foreign strangers. I know that hundreds of people are tortured and killed for their christian faith every day. (surprised?, read about it here: www.persecution.com)
However, it seems that it is much more common for pastors, missionaries, ministry staff, christian business men and women, teachers, and church planters to have a relatively comfortable life.
There are many many exceptions, but I feel like this applies to the majority and I know it does to me and my ministry.
It all depends on what you compare these ministries to. Compared to the average American maybe these ministries do have more troubles. But compared to Paul, we are all taking the easy street.
I am absolutely not saying that we all need to be suffering and going hungry in some other country.
My goal, instead, is to challenge myself and others to compare ourselves to the models of ministry that are in the Bible. Jesus' and Paul's are the two that come to my mind. Both suffered immense discomfort for their faith. I feel like part of the reason these are in the Bible is to be an example to us. Yet, we often ignore these examples or feel that they don't apply to us or our "ministry".
I am challenging myself to reconsider my level of discomfort for Christ.
It is a hard pill to swallow, but read through 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 and compare your ministry to Paul's.
Maybe we can step it up a notch?
Maybe we will see more abundant fruit from our labor?
Can you think of specific ways that you could allow more discomfort for the purposes or glory of Christ?
My initial list:
- Never avoid a conversation about my faith because it would be awkward or uncomfortable.
- Focus my efforts at work more precisely on ministry and less on being successful by worldly standards.
- Spend more time in prayer for Christians and ministries around me and around the world.
- Spend less time doing things I enjoy and more on things that edify the church or at least myself.
- Focus on being a positive influence on others rather than focusing on the negatives in my life.
I wanted to note that Paul also mentions "in purity", "in the Holy Spirit", and "in the power of God" in the passage 2 Corinthians 6:4-10.
I know that these things are even more important to the success of ministry than the "troubles" that I have been writing about.
But, I can't judge the hearts of the ministries and ministers I know. I can't even know if they involve the "Holy Spirit" and rely on "the power of God". But I can see when they live very comfortably and often avoid the hard parts of ministry. It is much more visible.
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3 comments:
Great points.....
I found your blog on the LWG Blogroll and I'm really excited about connecting with other Christian women...
Off to read more of your blog!!
Thanks. You should check out http://Holley.DaySpring.com
Great Christian Woman - Great Blog!
This encouraged me so much and challenged me as well. When I travel alone, being directionally challenged, I often am very dependent on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me literally! : ) Also, because I am alone, I am less distracted and more focused on my constant companion, the Holy Spirit.
A long time prayer of mine when I travel, whether for business or pleasure, has been to ask the Lord to not let me miss the appointments He has for me. And then I go anticipating that God is going to do great things on my journey. Through that prayer and just being "available" and open, the Holy Spirit has used me several times in little ways and sometimes unusual and unexpected ways.
Several times I have been in situations that I could have given over to fear (okay maybe once or twice I actually did give over to fear for a second or two or three) but ultimately I cried out to God, listened and obeyed and every time I experienced getting to see that I truly am part of His bigger plan.
Sometimes I have been without a place to lay my head but my prayer was that He would show me the way, what to do, what to say. He knew I would be in this situation and I was willing to trust Him and do His will in that situation. He has always provided for me, but greater than that, he has used me to reach out to others in ways that I could not have known they needed and I could not have accomplished on my own.
His way is about being available in every moment and in every situation to do His will. Sometimes it is exciting and sometimes it is uncomfortable but it is always good, even if I don't know the purpose at the time. I am always encouraged and blessed deep in my spirit which is much more fulfilling and lasting than just having the physical needs met that I am accustom to.
He is constantly working out His plan that is for our ultimate good and He can be trusted.
He would love to hear me say everyday in every situation, "Don't let me miss one appointment you have for me today. Don't let me miss the real purpose of my journey."
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