Are you taking care of yourself?
Ministry is about being outwardly focused. But sometimes we get so busy being outwardly focused that we forget to look inward at all. And when we look back into ourselves finally, we often find some distortions of the truth brewing in there. This is a small list of things to keep in mind, in order to keep those sneaky little lies from setting up and doing damage while you're out there doing your thing.
1. Allow yourself to be yourself. Your personality produces your unique brand of ministry, and that's the most valuable thing you can give to your team. Embrace your own unique deep self—God created it, and he called it good! Trying to be someone else just makes us cheap knockoffs of someone else's original design. It's like a quarterback trying to be a linebacker. The enemy wants us to believe that only one type of person is good at ministry, and when we believe this lie, we give ourselves over to becoming cheap imitators of other people. But when we do that, we lose the strength of our deep self, because we deny it access into our life and our ministry. Leaders have to come in all shapes and sizes because that's how the kids come. People of all types desperately need ministries of all types. So, be free to be yourself, because the Body of Christ deeply needs the genuine version of all its parts!
2. Check your compass frequently. Take time frequently to allow God to refocus your idea of your true self and direct you to what He wants to teach you. When we stop looking inward, we start running with our eyes closed. For instance, I'm passionate about others' freedom until I stop keeping my own lust for attention and success in check. Checking in with yourself keeps you goal oriented, on the RIGHT goal. Without a compass, people will inherently walk in circles—just like the Israelites in the desert. Taking time to listen to God and explore your own heart is like checking your compass, making sure you truly are headed in the right direction. And keeping yourself spiritually healthy and free is what allows for meaningful kingdom work.
3. The pressure's off. You don't have to save them. It's not even your job to save them. It's your job to bring them to the feet of Jesus. So don't allow yourself to feel like a complete failure based on how your kids are responding to the gospel. It doesn't matter how good you said it or how bad you butchered it. God can save anyone He wants to any way he wants to. And He does it frequently. I've heard plenty of stories about butchered Gospel presentations leading to tears and repentance. God's the one who actually does the real work, but he LOVES to use us and involve us in His story of redemption of the world, because he made US to love it too! God’s uses us to bring salvation to the people we're ministering to, but if they don’t accept Him, it doesn't mean we've failed God. It’s not our job to save someone; it’s God’s. That should be a load off! (Recommended reading: Ezekiel 2:4-8)
4. The team leader is the team administrator. The team leader doesn't necessarily mean the most important leader or the most valuable leader. Team leader is a position often given to a person whose ministry would be least affected by the extra hassle of administrative duties. And honestly, when you aren't team leader, you often have the opportunity to be an even better leader. I know plenty of team leaders, former and current, that would agree with me. So if you're someone who's felt "less than" by not being chosen to be team leader, don't feel like that anymore. It's not a strike on who you are. Certain gift sets are more negatively affected by the extra responsibilities than others are. The team leader position is a position of servanthood, not extra importance/value, and seeing it as such will keep you from using the wrong scale to measure yourself with—which will in turn preserve your ministry.
5. Be careful with your heart and your habits. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul says this: "I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but I will not be mastered by anything." Just remember, ruts are hard to unmake. When we get in habits, it is extremely hard to change them. Our small decisions define our habits, and our habits define who we are, in a sense. You are what you eat. Therefore, make sure your small decisions glorify God. Over time, they're going to have a huge impact on your life.
Let me know if you have any thoughts! What's been the most valuable thing for YOU to keep in mind while you've been in ministry? Let me know either in the comments or an email on the side of the page!
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