Dear Lady in Ministry,
Do you ever have those moments in life where you just have no idea what God exactly wants you to do? Or you are seeking God’s guidance in picking a ministry to volunteer for and you just can’t decide which one? Or are you clearly feeling God guiding you, and those around you don’t have the same insight of what you should be doing, so it affects your confidence in the choices you made?
This has happened to all of us.
When I was in Bible college, I volunteered for everything because I thought that was what a good Christian, young woman should do. But then I got so busy with all the different ministries, that I could never fully focus on one specific task or meet the needs in any of the ministries to the best of my abilities. Sometimes, less is more when it come to the number of ministries we volunteer for.
Then you also have the moments that you clearly hear what God wants from you, but others don’t agree with your decision. For me, I remember a time I knew that God did not want me to take part in a new ministry at church. I was already involved in several ministries and was quite busy with work, so that I knew I couldn’t give my all in what was a new kids mentoring ministry. I had always believed that teens and kids needed good, godly mentors to help them on their path of faith, but I also knew that if God didn’t want me to do something I needed to obey.
So, I followed God’s leading and told the leader of the ministry that I wouldn’t be able to participate. She made it very clear that she was disappointed in me and didn’t agree with my reasoning. I explained to her as best as I could the reasons for my decision, but she wasn’t going to listen to me. I ended up confronting her on her attitude towards me after about 10 minutes of her accusing me of not wanting to follow God or to do ministry. I told her that God was the one guiding me and not my emotions or personal preferences, because in truth I cared about the kids and wanted to help in any way I could, but God clearly told me not that ministry. It wasn’t easy to stand up for myself, and my relationship with this leader was never the same after, but I knew that I had followed God’s leading. In less than a few months after He actually moved me to a different church, so volunteering in that ministry would have been terrible for any kid or teen I was assigned to. He knew what He was doing when He told me no.
When it comes to serving God in ministry the good can often become the enemy of the best, when we choose to not follow God’s leading. One ministry can be a good opportunity, but it can ultimately prevent us from doing something better that God has designed for you. Valuing what God desires for us is the most important thing and can start us on a journey to having a better prepared heart for whatever God has planned for our futures. It takes time to grow and prepare our hearts to hear and obey God. All people have different ministries that God desires for them to do. One that may be good for one Christian may not be a part of God’s plan for another. That doesn’t make the ministry wrong or sinful, it just means that it is prepared for someone else to do.
Now at times we may make the wrong decision in choosing a ministry… Don’t worry. God can still use you in that ministry for his glory. We just need to make sure we are serving God unselfishly and trying our best to hear Him speak to us through His word. It will take time to hear Him clearly, so don’t beat yourself up over it. One day you will hear clearly what He has for you, if you keep being faithful in your service and dedication in growing closer to Him.
Signing off,
Tami
A committed single woman must be sensitive to the inevitable challenges she will meet in her attempt to live unselfishly in such a self-serving society.
– Leslie Ludy