I recently quit a ministry I was volunteering with for 7 years. It was a strange decision to make, I sort of assumed I'd be doing it forever. In the time that has followed a lot of exciting opportunities have come into my life, opportunities I would not have been able to do had I stayed in that ministry. This is all to say, Jesus led this whole process and I feel his calling and leading in this new chapter of my life. But, when I tell people I've quit the ministry the response I keep getting is "what are you doing now?"
This question has really stuck with me. One of the reasons Jesus wanted me to quit was because, I was doing, doing, doing, rather than resting in Him. I developed this belief that doing good things and being "perfect" would lead to my sanctification and therefore God's love. Thankfully, Jesus has shown me that this is a lie, but still people keep insisting, what are you doing? After I explain that I am not involved in another ministry, people seem to be uneasy and uncomfortable and the conversation gets awkward.
Why are we so obsessed with doing? Jesus himself warns of the dangers of this in Luke 10. Martha was running all over the place doing things and getting things ready for Jesus. Nothing she was doing was bad, but Mary chose what was best, which was just being with Jesus. Well, people, this is the answer to your question, I am just being with Jesus. I have realized that serving Christ has nothing to do with organized ministry, but everything to do with loving people and telling them about Him.
The Great Commission states; "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” (Matthew 28: 19-20). Making disciples of all nations is a very loose command. He says nothing about creating a non-profit or even a church building. He says go and make disciples. And so, I'm goin and I'm makin. To love people as we go, that is why we are here, that is life! It looks different for everyone; it can be doing organized ministry, praying for your coworker, being a pastor, teaching your children about Jesus, or just showing the love of Christ to people who know no love. The pressure to get involved, or volunteer, or lead, or help is not one that comes from Christ. When He wants me involved, that's when I'll get involved and when He wants me to leave, I'll leave. I hope this encourages you to rest in Jesus. It's all we really have to do; rest and go.
Jesus, I pray that we would let go of this need to do things. I pray that you would invade our hearts and give us rest so that we may go out and love people.
This question has really stuck with me. One of the reasons Jesus wanted me to quit was because, I was doing, doing, doing, rather than resting in Him. I developed this belief that doing good things and being "perfect" would lead to my sanctification and therefore God's love. Thankfully, Jesus has shown me that this is a lie, but still people keep insisting, what are you doing? After I explain that I am not involved in another ministry, people seem to be uneasy and uncomfortable and the conversation gets awkward.
Why are we so obsessed with doing? Jesus himself warns of the dangers of this in Luke 10. Martha was running all over the place doing things and getting things ready for Jesus. Nothing she was doing was bad, but Mary chose what was best, which was just being with Jesus. Well, people, this is the answer to your question, I am just being with Jesus. I have realized that serving Christ has nothing to do with organized ministry, but everything to do with loving people and telling them about Him.
The Great Commission states; "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” (Matthew 28: 19-20). Making disciples of all nations is a very loose command. He says nothing about creating a non-profit or even a church building. He says go and make disciples. And so, I'm goin and I'm makin. To love people as we go, that is why we are here, that is life! It looks different for everyone; it can be doing organized ministry, praying for your coworker, being a pastor, teaching your children about Jesus, or just showing the love of Christ to people who know no love. The pressure to get involved, or volunteer, or lead, or help is not one that comes from Christ. When He wants me involved, that's when I'll get involved and when He wants me to leave, I'll leave. I hope this encourages you to rest in Jesus. It's all we really have to do; rest and go.
Jesus, I pray that we would let go of this need to do things. I pray that you would invade our hearts and give us rest so that we may go out and love people.