1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Life gets busy. There is always something going on. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. We have our spouse, our kids and then there’s our work life and any extra-curricular activities that we’ve added on. It often seems that there is no time for anything else. And then Paul tells us, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.” After all that is already going on in my life how can I add more?
It is time to renew our mind to this passage of scripture so we can truly understand what we are instructed to do here. What is the ‘work of the Lord’? That is the first question we must address. Often, we think this to be one of the five-fold ministry roles (teacher, preacher, evangelist, prophet, or apostle). While those are people that do the work of the Lord they are not the only ones this applies to.
We must realize that there is an order to our life and ministry, and most of all realize that every area of our life is ministry. Now let me explain what I mean. I am not saying that you need to give up things in your life to go and minister to people. It’s more about your mindset and how you view your life. I’ve often felt that “if I could just make it through this week I will make it to Sunday and can minister at church.” While that is not entirely wrong it is missing the heart of God for your life.
God’s desire is that you don’t just make it through your life, but that you show His Love and make the most of all you do. As I was saying, there is an order to our ministry and all our life is ministry. First and foremost you must tend to your personal relationship with God. This has nothing to others, it is about you and God. That is your first ministry.
Next, if you have them, is your spouse and children. Your spouse is your second order of ministry and must not be neglected. Then, third on the list are your kids. If you have them it is your responsibility to teach them and train them in the Lord. After that comes extended family, friends and then ministry to others and your ministry in your workplace.
We must live every area of our life for the Lord. As we begin to take on this new view we will stop looking to just ‘get through life’, and start looking to how we can let God use us in every situation to bring Him glory.
Life gets busy. There is always something going on. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. We have our spouse, our kids and then there’s our work life and any extra-curricular activities that we’ve added on. It often seems that there is no time for anything else. And then Paul tells us, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.” After all that is already going on in my life how can I add more?
It is time to renew our mind to this passage of scripture so we can truly understand what we are instructed to do here. What is the ‘work of the Lord’? That is the first question we must address. Often, we think this to be one of the five-fold ministry roles (teacher, preacher, evangelist, prophet, or apostle). While those are people that do the work of the Lord they are not the only ones this applies to.
We must realize that there is an order to our life and ministry, and most of all realize that every area of our life is ministry. Now let me explain what I mean. I am not saying that you need to give up things in your life to go and minister to people. It’s more about your mindset and how you view your life. I’ve often felt that “if I could just make it through this week I will make it to Sunday and can minister at church.” While that is not entirely wrong it is missing the heart of God for your life.
God’s desire is that you don’t just make it through your life, but that you show His Love and make the most of all you do. As I was saying, there is an order to our ministry and all our life is ministry. First and foremost you must tend to your personal relationship with God. This has nothing to others, it is about you and God. That is your first ministry.
Next, if you have them, is your spouse and children. Your spouse is your second order of ministry and must not be neglected. Then, third on the list are your kids. If you have them it is your responsibility to teach them and train them in the Lord. After that comes extended family, friends and then ministry to others and your ministry in your workplace.
We must live every area of our life for the Lord. As we begin to take on this new view we will stop looking to just ‘get through life’, and start looking to how we can let God use us in every situation to bring Him glory.
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