Daniel and I have been taking church membership classes for the last couple months. Our church is very serious about membership. They want to make sure you're committed and know what you're getting yourself into before you become a member.
One thing that keeps coming up during classes is the topic of serving. You're expected to serve the church in some way...period. No excuses.
And naturally, with that being said, we've randomly been asked to serve in like three new areas. It's funny how that happens.
We (and by we, I mean Daniel) were asked to consider teaching the teens in Sunday School. And to help run a program with an orphanage on the island. And to join a small group. That's on top of Monday night Bible study, church membership classes (which should be ending soon), church and random mentoring/evangelism/fellowship.
The thing is, I don't connect well with teens. I never have. I've tried, and failed miserably! Even though I know I was just like them as a teen, their unwillingness to learn from other people's mistakes and take life seriously just annoys me. Daniel, on the other hand, is wonderful with them. And since I want to be passionate about the things he is passionate about, I kind of feel like I should put my personal feelings aside so that we can work together. Especially in our first year of marriage.
I've recently been praying about the direction my life should take. Should I commit myself to working with Daniel with teens? Should I give up the Bible study, or really push to make it stronger? How can I manage any of these things and still keep up the running of my home?
So far, the only answer I'm hearing is that I need to "be still and know that He is God". The truth is, my relationship with God isn't the greatest right now. I hardly have any devotional life, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to overcome this period in my life. So now doesn't seem to be the time to dedicate myself to a million things. Instead, it seems to be a time to fill myself up with God's word and prayer. I need refreshment before I can pour myself out to others. Even if that means I can't serve others along side my husband.
What do you think? Is it ok for me to take a break from ministry in order to work things out with the Lord?
I think taking a break is fine. Our Bible study is a ministry and over committing yourself is just as bad as not committing at all.
ReplyDeleteI also don't think that you should feel the need to be in the same ministry as Daniel. Look at Janelle Bethel. She doesn't do anything that Pastor Lyall does. I can't even tell you what ministry she's involved in. That doesn't mean she's not serving in some capacity. Service isn't something that everyone has to see. We're serving God and He sees everything. And if your relationship with Him isn't right, then that is top priority.
That's true. Gabrielle pointed out to me that we're called to serve and not doing some in some way is not an option. But I think if I stick to the things I love, like our Bible study and serving the people around me I'll be ok.
ReplyDeleteIt's really just a matter of cutting out the pointless in my life and making sure almost every second is getting me towards my goal.
Just for the record Janelle is super involved in Awana's ministry... I just read a post by Olu our pastor in Toronto (http://olujegede.blogspot.com/2010/08/is-god-calling-you.html)
ReplyDeleteWe basically find our gifts and ministry as we do ministry. I think the rule to follow is to "follow the way of love" (1 cor 14:1). If we are trying to love people we will find out our gifts.