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Recently I’ve been studying joy, and I realized how much more joy God has for me. It’s so easy to lose the joy God has for us. These are a few joykillers I’ve identified for myself.
1. Considering ourselves ultimate
Who would ever do this? The statement sounds amazingly haughty and beyond us, but it’s something I’ve done subconsciously.
You’ve probably heard how difficult Mondays are for pastors. It’s difficult because frequently they feel like they didn’t hit it out of the park with the sermon. Maybe there was a transition that didn’t go well; a problem with media projection. They didn’t say the right thing to that person after the service, or they received an email from that guy who always takes issue with everything.
The same thing can happen for anyone in ministry. Whether you’ve just met with one student, oversaw an outreach event, or after the weekly large group gathering, when we feel like we ultimately are responsible, every little problem isn’t just something to learn from but something that will chew us up and spit us out!
- Yes, let’s do our best.
- Yes, repent when you don’t prepare or if you say something selfish or react defensively because of pride.
- Yes, ask God for help where you feel you can do better.
And know this:
- God is building His Church! (Mat 16:18)
- Ultimately persuasive words don’t win souls, the power of God does. (1 Cor 2:4)
- God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Cor 12:9)
We have a part to play, but God is ultimate. Trusting in ourselves kills our joy, so do your best and trust Him.
2. Seeing ministry as an obligation
We are called and commanded to make disciples, to be witnesses, to love those around us. However, ministry isn’t an annoying chore, it’s like the best thing happening in the whole universe!
We are ministers of reconciliation. I don’t know about you, but seeing people who are dead in sins and trespasses, seeing them reconciled to their creator and transformed by His power…is there anything greater than that?
Don’t think, “I have to…” Rejoice at the opportunity!
I regularly preach at midweek services and sometimes at our Sunday morning gatherings. There is a sober burden that comes with preaching and rightfully so at some level, but I’ve found that if I don’t spend time thanking God for the opportunity to instruct and inspire and present a living hope, I just don’t have much fun, but when I see the opportunity not as an obligation but a wonderful privilege, I have lots of fun! : )
3. Stress
I get overwhelmed fairly easily. That coupled with my bad habit of constantly filling up my life with things until I’m totally maxed out means I could easily be stressed pretty much 24/7.
But there is peace in Jesus! Stress isn’t God’s portion for us. I could write a whole post just about stress, but let me leave you with a familiar but freeing passage:
[su_quote cite=”Phil 4:6-7″]Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.[/su_quote]
Solution: Spending time in God’s presence and letting go!
Are you joyless today? There are a million suggestions I could give, but here’s what it boils down to: Jesus is our ultimate joy source.
That’s it. Jesus.
In John 15 Jesus gives us an illustration, He is the vine and we are the branches. Life runs from the vine into the branch, when the branch is connected. Similarly, life runs into us when we are abiding in Christ. And Jesus continues:
[su_quote cite=”John 15:11″]These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.[/su_quote]
Divine joy is our portion, and fullness at that!
In Bullet Form
- At the end of the day, it’s not about us; we aren’t ultimate.
- Ministry is a privilege.
- Let your requests be made known to God, and receive His peace.
- And, lastly, abide in Christ; be filled with His joy!
photo credit: Depressed via photopin (license)
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