When starting a new ministry, unknown is the norm. What should I call it? Does it need a name? Does it need a logo? Who will it impact? Who will serve with me? Am I qualified for this? Am I sure this is God’s will?
However, in the midst of all the questions, there is comfort, or rather, the Comforter. And there is a certain comfort in following the Lord without knowing the full story. And that’s just it – we are following HIM, so the path will be straight. It may be bumpy, but it will end up in a good place.
Exodus 10:26: “….and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither”
In this passage, the children of Israel were about to depart from Egypt, and Moses admits to Pharaoh that he needed all of their cattle to go with them. Why? Well, he wasn’t exactly sure, but he knew he was going to need them. He did not have all the answers, but he knew he was obeying the Lord through his actions.
I think that’s the key. Obey the Lord in what you know, and allow Him to put the unknown pieces together.
I’ve posted about excellence before on this blog. I recently spoke about excellence to a group of students at Baptist Bible College Asia in Manila, challenging them to achieve excellence in their work. But what is excellence? How can you define it? Sure, you can look in the dictionary (modern translation: google it), and it will say things like “superb, extraordinary, special”. But what is the magic of excellence? A lot of people know what excellence is, but not many people achieve it. I think it largely boils down to this:
The real work of excellence is actually doing what others only talk about.
Plenty of people have good ideas. But the reality of bringing those ideas to fruition takes time. This investment of time, for most, is too much. Thomas Edison said it best with his “99% perspiration” quote.
My wife and I are independent Baptist missionaries, and so we had the task of raising our own support for our ministry. We traveled. A lot. Airports, train stations, interstates, and back roads were our life for 18 months. Did I mention we had a newborn in tow?
Needless to say, it was a rewarding albeit admittedly grueling time. And while driving down the road for hours at a time, there was one sign that brought joy to our entire family: “Rest Area 2 Miles”.
Ah, the rest area. Food and facilities, grass and trees. Despite being government run it was quite the welcome site. We knew at the rest area we could retool, reboot, refuel, and relax. The rest area provided a mental release – in the present and in the future. Not only did we enjoy it while we were taking a break, we enjoyed the thought of the next rest area while driving. In short, it gave us hope to continue.
I take a day off every Friday. Or at least I make a solid effort. (Anyone in ministry knows you can’t plan for certain things). Friday is a time that I and my family look forward too, to be, you know….a family. It is a time to rest together; breathe together; laugh together; dream together.
As my good friend Ben reminded me the other day, some people in ministry take the view that “Satan doesn’t take a day off so neither can I.” Well my friend, you model your life after the devils pattern if you want. Let me know how that works out. I try to model mine after my Father and His Son. The former took a day off (and noted it specifically) and the latter often rested to recharge.
On Fridays, we exhale. And I think that’s how God intended it.
As a church planter and missionary, I am constantly practicing for retirement. No, I’m not fishing every afternoon or looking for vacation spots. But I am working towards my eventual departure.
My goal as a church planter and leader in several ministries is to make myself irrelevant; I’m working hard to eliminate my position. Working myself out of a job. I don’t know how else to say it.
You see, by practicing for retirement, I am giving those under me a chance to lead and use their strengths. The more they lead, the more I become unnecessary to the process. Delegating with a timeline in mind.
What would happen if you woke up every morning ready to practice retirement? Would it change the way you lead your people?
