Staying Power, Part 2
Continued from Staying Power, Part 1…
So how, then, do we who are in, stay in? For those that are currently out, how do you get back in? Keep in mind, this too is not definitive or exhaustive, but is meant to serve as a tool only.
As is often the case, I opened my refrigerator this evening to find something that was…well…a science experiment. Honestly, I’m not sure what it originally was when it was cooked in my house. It might have stayed fresh and been good for eating, even today, had it not been for one fatal flaw – someone (me) forgot to seal the container in which the food was contained. It was then exposed to the surrounding environment which contains things that spoil unsealed food. Surely you’ve experienced this as well, along with those oh-so-pleasant accompanying smells?
So you feel wasted, used up, burned out, spoiled, or unmotivated to pursue the calling of God on your life. Here are some tips for getting back in and staying in.
Getting back or staying in…
1. Pray for your longevity in ministry // I don’t mean this in a prideful or arrogant way, but I see no problem in praying that God would strengthen you to do His work and keep you from the things that would detract you from it. If you ever start to think that God needs you to accomplish His will, then go back and re-read #4 from Part #1, then come back here. When Jesus is instructing the disciples in the area of prayer in Matthew 6:5-14, he tells them to ask for “daily bread” – sustenance for the moment, strength for the journey.
2. Examine and rearrange your priorities // It sounds simple, but what I’m asking you to do – alone – is honestly and objectively look at your priorities in life and see where they are currently. In ministry, it must look something like this…
- God – Priority #1, at all times. If anything supersedes your relationship with Abba, you have problems.
- Spouse – God have him/her to you, so don’t neglect them. Involve him/her, encourage him/her, but most of all – SPEND TIME WITH HIM/HER.
- Family – After God & spouse, ensure that you’re investing in the life of your family so they don’t begin to look negatively at your calling. God called you & and gave them to you – don’t neglect them.
- Self – If you neglect yourself, your ministry will suffer. Go to the doctor when you’re sick, eat well, stay active (physically), & get checked up.
- Ministry – After all of this comes ministry. AFTER. No, that’s not a type o – after. Number 5 on the list. After.
If your priority list doesn’t look like this, then it’s time to rearrange and make some changes. Remember, your longevity in ministry is at stake here, so take heart and be courageous. God will provide, sustain, empower, strengthen, mold, and keep you.
3. Get accountable // You could do few things better for the longevity of your ministry than to be accountable to a (small) group of like-minded individuals who love you and want to see you succeed. This doesn’t mean you’ll always enjoy their input into your life, but you’ll be better for it. Accountability will cause you to examine your time usage, your Spiritual relationship depth, your study habits, your family time, your teaching style, your mannerisms, your body language, and many other things that I could not possibly think to write. Good accountability doesn’t exist to tell you when you’re wrong, like some over-bearing school teacher – good accountability keeps you in the right frame of mind and in the best place for ministry.
4. Have faith // You took a step of faith when you entered into the calling of God in your life, but maybe you didn’t realize it would take subsequent steps of faith to stay in or continue. Well, it does. Remember, this is a journey, not a time machine. Step out on faith again and experience the freedom and joy of a life lived in pursuit of righteousness – an intentional chase after the Creator God.
Be encouraged, brother or sister! God called you, and if you’re breathing and upright, you still have time to fulfill your purpose for being – to lead, minister, serve, give, preach, and be Jesus with skin on to a world who desperately needs Him.
