Have you ever just felt tired of ministry? Do you ever question whether your time is up? I am sorry to say I have. I am not proud of this, but it is the truth. Sometimes I question if I am even supposed to be doing what I do. I question if I am the right person for the job and if maybe there is someone else that God wants to use to accomplish His purposes. I admit it…I sometimes grow weary in the battle and I have to draw aside and just talk to the Lord about it. Thank goodness He doesn’t disown me! I quit a long time ago trying to be super human and super spiritual about this. I read where David, a man after God’s own heart, struggled in many of the ways I struggle as a ministry leader. Well, recently in my weariness, I found myself whining to God…. I asked Him to please speak to me and here is what I heard as I read my devotionals and the Word…God is so faithful even when I am not!
“You are not your own….you belong to Me. I divide your private life and make it a highway for the world and for myself. You cannot bear this unless you identify yourself with Me. You are not sanctified for yourself. I will use you and the circumstances of your life to accomplish my will. Thank me in the times of weariness…I am with you…sustaining you. But you must continually spend that time with me so that you can truly identify with me. Do you believe? Then lay it down….Your life is not your own.”
Thank you for giving your heart to me this morning, Lord. Your concern for my struggles is humbling…that you would care so deeply for me and the weariness I have been experiencing with the ministry work. Forgive me for complaining. This morning, I am reassured of the fact that you paid an awesome price for me and I am not my own. Please give me the eyes to see and understand when the situation is presented for me to obey. Thank you for hearing my prayers, for comforting me in times of pain, for giving me wisdom and discernment in times of uncertainty. Thank you for courage and for sustaining me in times when the ministry becomes heavy. I realize just as you have said this morning that my life is not my own…let me be faithful and let me do the work you have called me to with a grateful and rejoicing heart. In Jesus’ name.
Hey, God is ALWAYS faithful….even when I am whining…He meets me right there! You know, I believe He knows….and when I yoke myself to Him, He will carry me in times of weariness. After all, He has carried the weight of the WHOLE world before! As I take a deep breath even in this moment, I feel the release of His spirit to go skipping into another week of serving Him…and I rejoice that He LETS ME DO IT! God is GOOD! Thank you, Lord, for being the lifter of my head! I know the pleasure of your smile this morning…Be glorified in this day….
No Fair!!! you were reading my heart this morning. I had just a battle during a ministry opportunity and I wanted to throw out the white flag of surrender.
You have such convicting words here. Thank you..
I just added you, as I already have your daughter.
WOW… a great post
Hi, I wrote some things about this, this week. About spiritual warriors experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
Jesus often left the crowds and His disciples and found a quiet place to spend time with God and recharge.
Most modern Christians are traveling so fast, we seldom take the time to recharge. God has His ways of slowing us down.
yes!