Loving
others does not mean that we give people what they want when they want it; it
is following the Spirit’s leading in everything we do and say (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).
Reaching a balance in the area of ministry is both basic and simple, when we
submit to God's Spirit.
If
God does not give us His perfect peace to comply with someone’s request or a
need that we see in their life, then we do not get involved, except to pray for
them. God teaches us to develop healthy boundaries based on the Holy Spirit’s
direction.
This
is crucial for creating a safe place - a home base - for the authentic person
whom God created us to be, as we follow His will through each moment of our
day. We are the result of all of the nature and nurture that God provided for
us in our lifetime.
He
intended that we have our exact environment, trauma, blessings, family, and genes
in order for us to become the person He needs us to be. This way He can use us
to help others with our unique skills and talents.
Many
of the ministry needs that we try to respond to may appear Biblical on the
surface. The issue is legitimate and the person is in real need. However, this
does not mean that we indiscriminately help everyone who has a need. God will
direct us by His Spirit.
If
the Holy Spirit does not direct us to get involved, and we do so anyway, this
can have an oppressive effect on us and those we help, because it becomes a
“works” brand of Christianity. Then, God orchestrates new circumstances to
accomplish His purpose.
Eventually,
ministry can feel like slavery and bondage, and may even cause us to grow more
and more resentful and angry in our soul. We can learn balance from Jesus. He walked
among the multitude of sick people beside the pool of Bethesda. They all needed
His help, but God's Spirit directed Him to heal only one of them (John 5:1-19).
Prayer:
Father
God, teach us that if we do not follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit, we run
the risk of getting worn out and of distancing our self from You, which will
cause us to lose our spiritual anchor. Obeying Your Spirit keeps out unwanted
intruders of doubt, insecurity, fear and obligation, and provides a safe place
where we can grow and develop as Your saint and servant.
Your
plan for our development involves a building up of our self in a grace-filled, restorative
experience of Christ in us, which is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We
need to allow others to learn to trust You too. Show us how we can live less
like Martha - who frantically rushed around serving others, and more like Mary
who allowed herself to sit at Jesus' feet (Luke 10:38-42).
Thought
for the Day:
Allowing
God to build up our feelings of self-worth and to help us to develop secure
boundaries is a spiritual priority as He teaches us to say "No," which
is more important to our spiritual growth than saying "Yes" to yet
another "spiritual" activity; we do not always need to have a clearly
articulated or spiritual-sounding reason for saying, "No." If God is
not leading you to say, “Yes,” then by all means, please say, “No.”
