I was reading a newsletter sent to me and feeling the gentle reminder tapping into my heart. It's a reminder about the right attitude in doing ministry. So I want to share the verses and key points with you - my brothers and sisters in Christ.
By the way, you know what's funny? About the same time of the year last year, God delivered John 15:5 to me too. It was about the time when the English Service team was gearing up towards the Christmas celebration. And here I am a year later. The verse is still a gentle reminder for me. Praise God for this verse.
Verses
"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." -- Colossians 3:4
"I [Jesus] am the vine; and you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -- John 15:5
Key Points
Your ministry is not your life. Jesus is.
Do not let your ministry define who you are ... your identity.
When you have disconnected from the vine (Jesus), ministry will become joyless striving and stressful pushing. It will become a hassle and a burden.
Relationship with Him comes before responsibility. The relationship gives the strength to carry out the responsibility.
Jesus is an incredible gift given to us. And as people in ministry, we get the privilege of carrying that gift to the world. Our ministry is like the box, wrapping paper, and bow. Our size and style of our wrapping paper and boxes can vary from ministry to ministry. But we are all trying to deliver the same gift (Jesus).
Remember that the box (your ministry) is not as valuable as the gift (Jesus). And the only reason the box exists is to deliver the gift. You have dedicated your life to the gift, not the box.
May this be a blessing!
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