HARD TRUTH

For those of us involved in ministry, there is always something to do. A message needs to be prepared. A fellowship needs to be organized. Someone needs encouragement. There are rehearsals, meetings, prayer gatherings, discipleship sessions, outreaches, and responsibilities that seem to multiply faster than the hours available to us. We move from one spiritual activity to another, often believing that being constantly occupied with ministry means we are spiritually healthy. But a full schedule does not always mean a full soul. It is possible to be surrounded by the things of God and still feel distant from God Himself. We can sing about Him publicly but rarely worship Him privately. We can prepare messages for others while neglecting to let His Word speak to our own hearts. We can pray for everyone else yet struggle to spend quiet, unhurried time alone with Him.

Ministry may continue to demand our time and energy. But we must regularly ask ourselves: When was the last time I came to Jesus with nothing to perform, nothing to prepare, and nothing to prove—simply because I wanted to be with Him?

We can be spiritually busy, yet spiritually empty. This is one of the dangers of serving God for a long time. Ministry can become so familiar that we unconsciously begin measuring our spiritual condition by our activity. If we attended every meeting, led the program, preached the message, completed the task, and showed up whenever we were needed, we may feel that we have done enough. But activity is not the same as intimacy. Jesus' encounter with Martha and Mary speaks directly to this tension. Martha was serving. There was nothing inherently wrong with what she was doing. In fact, service is good. Ministry requires people who are willing to work, sacrifice, prepare, and carry responsibility.

Martha's problem was not that she served. The problem was that in the middle of her service, she became “worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10:41). While Martha was busy doing something for Jesus, Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him. Jesus said that Mary had chosen what was better. This does not mean every Christian should stop serving and sit all day quietly. Rather, it reminds us of a crucial truth: we must never allow our service for Jesus to replace our relationship with Jesus. Jesus gave us a different foundation for fruitful living: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself… neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4). Before fruitfulness, there must be abiding. Before the public ministry, there must be private communion. Before we pour into others, we must allow God to pour into us.

Perhaps one reason spiritual emptiness becomes so dangerous is that it does not always stop us from functioning. We can still preach. We can still sing. We can still lead. We can still organize events and fulfill ministry responsibilities. From the outside, everything may look fruitful. Yet inside, something may be drying up. We may continue serving because we are afraid to disappoint people. We may continue because everyone expects us to. Sometimes, if we are honest, ministry can even become connected to our sense of identity. We feel valuable because we are needed. We feel important because we have a role. And slowly, without realizing it, doing things for God becomes a substitute for simply being with God. But God is not impressed by our exhaustion if it comes at the expense of our relationship with Him. Jesus did not call His disciples first to build programs, organize activities, or manage ministry. “He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14).

Notice the order: be with Him, then be sent by Him. Our effectiveness in ministry should flow from our intimacy with Christ. Service is healthiest when it is the overflow of a life that is continually abiding in Him. That may be the invitation many of us need today. Not necessarily another meeting. Not another responsibility. Not another task to complete. Perhaps we need to return to the feet of Jesus. The world may applaud our productivity. People may appreciate our service. Ministry may continue to demand our time and energy. But we must regularly ask ourselves: When was the last time I came to Jesus with nothing to perform, nothing to prepare, and nothing to prove—simply because I wanted to be with Him?

Scripture also warns us that the work of every man will one day be tested by fire to reveal its true quality (1 Corinthians 3:13). It won’t be just about how much we did that day, but why we did it, and if it was rooted in Christ. Men may be moved by our works today, but only that which is built upon Him shall stand when it is tried. We were never meant to sustain ministry apart from God's presence. So let us serve faithfully. Let us work diligently. Let us answer the call God has placed upon our lives. But let us never become so busy doing the work of God that we forget the God we are working for. Because a full ministry calendar can never replace a full heart before Him.