Over the past few weeks, however I found myself ministering in quite a few unexpected ways. Ministry is often like this. Schedules change. People face moments of crisis. Building problems, technical problems, and spiritual problems all try to redirect the focus of ministry. The hours in a day run out.
I'm not complaining at all. I love ministering to people. Jesus had many more people vying for His attention than me and, God willing, I will have more desiring my time as the number of people I serve grows. It is for this reason that I keep recognizing my need to follow some of the spiritual disciplines that Jesus did.
I'm not a very disciplined person when it comes to daily habits. While I have a heart that desires to serve people, that desire to serve can pull me away from the priorities He has for my day. A phone call, email, or Facebook message has the power to derail me into a day where I am serving others (loving my neighbor) but where I didn't take the time to seek His wisdom first (loving God with all my heart).
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35 NIV)
I need (yes, need is a strong word) to begin my day with consistent quiet time with God. This is my "step" that the Not A Fan series has convicted me to take. It's a pattern I have had at times, but it's consistency has often quickly faded. I have reason to believe, though, that this time will be different.
I've been watching my calorie count, nutritional information, caffeine intake, and even quit drinking Mountain Dew. These changes have been in place for almost two months now. They are a habit. My weight and qualitative health reflect this fact. Now, I simply need to add a little more time and focus to my morning coffees with Him.
Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" (Mark 1:36-37 NIV)
I need to recognize that someone's expectations of me doesn't define my ministry to them. While meeting expectations is an effective way to grow a church, it's also an easy way to get off track - especially if those expectations do not align with God's will. Serving people needs to be from the overflow of my love for God. Serving people needs to be less about doing their will and more about equipping them to do His will.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV)
That's when the puzzle pieces of life fit together in a way that brings about the fruit of His Spirit. First, I align with Him. Next, I help others align with Him, too.
...until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13 NIV)
What does that mean for this blog? It means that it continues. God has clearly called me to an eMinistry that includes technology (which is a big part of my background) and teaching (which is a reflection of my heart). While writing has not traditionally been a strength of mine, I will continue to get better at it with His guidance and lots of practice.
Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." (Mark 1:38 NIV)
So, the cell phone can stay silenced for a little longer each morning. I will go where He calls me to go. I will do what He calls me to do. I am not a fan. I am a follower. That is why I have come.
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