Simplicity leads to Peace!

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Some questions concerning my last Devo, which discussed ministering within your “giftings”, surfaced that I believe should be answered. Just like the enemy has a strategy in his approach to the war, we also need to seek God for His strategy through us. What is very important is that we realize whatever that strategy is; the goal is always reconciliation. There are as many ministries as there are individuals, that is how powerful our God is, however, in the end, they all have one goal – reconcile individuals to God and to each other. I have learned over the time I have spent in ministry some simple truths that help me remain focused. Please understand, knowing these truths are far easier than practicing them…I have learned that!

* Concept of Strategy = K.I.S. – Keep It Simple! No matter the ministry if we apply some simple truths we will find the ministry God has led us to far more fulfilling, which will lead to peace, not burnout.

Consider these:

Personalizing versus Reinventing: Each one of us needs to have ownership of our ministry, but many spend so much time reinventing, so it can look original. That is silly because what Solomon said is true, there is nothing original! What’s important is to take what is out there, digest it, and then apply it with your personality. God made each of us unique.

Convicted Living versus Self-Serving: Spending time with the Holy Spirit, in the Word and praying, so that whatever you do is coming forth from a deep understanding that God led you to this, not your ego. 

Ego creates an agenda mentality and guarding “our territory.” God desires us to be very firm in what we believe we are doing, yet hold it loosely,                                                                      so He can tweak it.

Massing Troops versus Bubble Living: This is why discipleship is essential! You cannot do it all! God desires us to pour ourselves into others and then set them free to follow the ministry with God their way! Cloning is not God’s desire; it is our way to control. God desires conforming, molding our character into Christ’s, while keeping our personality. God does not want us to build our ministry “bubble” and try to get everyone in there with us.

Taking Advantage of Momentum versus Marketing: We are not “selling” anything! Our goal is to lay out God’s Truth concerning reconciliation, and then allow people to decide for themselves. So we can use the culture, the holiday, and what is popular as bridges to communicate God’s message, but we never change the message. That’s what makes our ministry so easy, it’s not our message, it is God’s! If people have a problem with that, their issue is with God, not us.

The So What: Have you taken time to evaluate what you do in your life? How much of it is influenced by the world? Do you see your job as a job, or a ministry? Do you believe you can do almost anything and God can use it? If so, why? If not, why?