Are you the kind of person who gives and gives and you feel you receive nothing in return? Or are you the person that takes and takes and never gives?
In the church it seems like there are two kinds of people, the ones that do all the work and those that don’t. Have you ever been so busy that you felt burned out? Have you ever felt that you went the extra mile and no one appreciated it?
I have experienced all of these things and what I think I learned is that the Lord does not expect you, or me, to do it all. There are all kinds of people in the church, providing it is a large church, and everyone has at least one gift or more.
The church is made up of one body with many parts. The only way to have a healthy body is when all the parts are functioning correctly. I don’t know how many times I walked into the church and found no one at the door so I just grabbed the bulletins and started handing them out, along with greeting people as they came in. It just seemed to be a natural thing to me. I think for some people ministry comes easy and they jump into it with both feet, for others it is like pulling teeth to get them involved in anything.
Another thing I have learned over the years is that if you get into a ministry it needs to be for the right reason. If you get into a ministry for popularity, or to receive the glory, you should not attempt it. God needs to receive all the glory for all you do in the church, if not, it will come to nothing and you will be very disappointed. The Word says, “unless the Lord builds the house ye labor in vain that build it.” Psalm 127:1 If you have been in a ministry for a while and you are feeling all stressed out maybe you were not called to that ministry and you need to step down. God will provide someone to step up, if it is His will.
When I got burned out it was easy to blame everyone else, but nobody made me do what I did. This is not a put down at all, feelings are very real and each of us needs encouragement at times. Believe me I don’t take these things lightly, I have been there it is not a fun place to be. When you feel burned out and used, which is bad enough, plus having someone basically criticize you in front of others, it makes you very angry and hurt to the point you just want to give up. I have also experienced that. But when I thought about it for a while, who was hurt, me or my pride.
If you have been in the church awhile you will be hurt by someone or you will hurt someone else at times, it is inevitable. Many times when our pride gets hurt our flesh rises up and we let anger fester in our hearts, which can lead to bitterness and unforgiveness. I have found that most of the time when I have been hurt it’s the pride that flares up within me. I guess that is why the Bible says in Proverbs 6:16,17 that pride is one of the seven things that God hates.
In Luke chapter 17 it says something that I think relates to this subject in verses 7 through 10, “Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal? Of course not! Instead, you say to him, Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may have your meal. The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he? It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.” (Good News Translation)
This seems pretty harsh but it is true, if we do the things we do for the right reason we will be happy even if we don’t get acknowledged. Personally, I think encouragement is very important. Not only to receive it but also to give it at times. But if it doesn’t happen, don’t forget what the Word says, you are only doing your duty. So don’t be angry, be happy.
God bless you and have a great day. Don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord.
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