Ministry is not what you are called to do. Ministry is what you were created to be, and your first line of congregation is your family. You cannot have a successful ministry without first serving your own family because they are the ones that you face every day. Therefore, you must live a life that genuinely and authentically represents Christ daily, in order that they may see His love through you. Within my four short years of ministry, I have grown to learn that it is meaningless and ineffective if the community I’m reaching is thriving, yet my family is not. If my wife and children do not benefit from my ministry and feel convicted to grow in Christ, then I feel like I’ve missed the mark. I also have a brother, sister, mother, father, nieces, and nephews that my ministry and message should impact.
My family must be impacted in addition to the community I reach— this is the ultimate prize.
The weight of this awareness causes me to ponder about the calling on my life, and sometimes creates a certain level of anxiety because of the pressure I feel to touch everyone around me. However, what I’ve learned to accept is that my spiritual leadership is not dependent on my intellect or knowledge, but rather fully on the power of God in my life. As long as I am obedient to His every instruction, I can claim victory over any obstacle I face. I have already won through the victory of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
This is the power of ministry, a confidence that the work God is doing through me will transcend the people around me.
I personally cannot do anything apart from Christ. John 15:5 states, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” So, as I continue to stay connected to the vine, which is God the Father, He creates the divine direction to fulfill the goal in my life to reach everyone, which in turn produces lasting fruit. It’s through this connection that my message and voice will reflect His voice, so that they may recognize the ultimate choice they have in making the decision to believe and know that God is waiting and willing to give them the greatest gift He can offer: the gift of eternal life and eternal love.
This gift of eternal life is accessible regardless of where you are, what you’re going through, or how you feel.
As I come to a close, I want to leave you with three essential pieces to this message:
God wants you to know that no matter where you are in life, He is seeking you to show you your value and a love that’s greater than any natural love you’ve experienced on earth.
Your value is not determined by what you can give in life but determined by what was given up for you.
No matter what mistakes you’ve made or regrets you have, please know that He has forgiven you and your knowledge of this is the beginning of making all things new for you. 1 John 1:9 states that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I encourage you to open your heart today and realize that He is the only way.
Aaron Smith is the CEO and founder of 3 Piece Motivation, a company that strives on enhancing the quality of life through inspirational speaking and life coaching programs. He is a loving husband, a father of four beautiful children and a God-fearing gentleman.
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