Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 238
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
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If
the subject of today’s writing wasn’t so serious, it would be hilarious. How can man get life so out of kilter? Oh, Michael explains how…and HOW we can stop
the insanity.
DAY 139
Heavy Loads
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life
and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you. --I Thessalonians 4:11
“Do not
let down and do not stop working; the time is near!” “Are you doing all you
can? People are dying, so where is your vision for missions? Get up! Go around
the block preaching; there are those in your neighborhood who need saving!”
“How can you enjoy your sandwich in the restaurant? Do you not know that
sinners surround you?” “You only have so much time; do not waste it on anything
but ministry!” Blah . . . blah . . . blah!
Usually
we hear such things from someone who is in “full-time ministry” with no other
job commitments. In the majority of the places to which I travel, those with
whom I minister have full-time jobs and consider all of their activities to be
an extension of ministry. “Ministry” must be redefined; it is not constant
talking! Saint Francis said that we are to do everything possible to share the
message of Jesus Christ, and then if we absolutely have to, say something! That
is an overstatement, since the world must see but also must hear. The beauty of our “religion” is
that we do not have to get out of the world, like the Buddhist, in order for it to work. It
works right where we work! We do not have to move up a priestly ladder
climbing toward heavenly work and moving away from earthly work. Our faith has its impact in the
everyday tasks. As we
live in Him and He lives through us, life’s activities are filled with Him.
I Corinthians 10:31,
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.” Paul did not
separate our work under the headings of “secular” and “religious”; he combined
it with the use of one word, all. “Do
all to the glory of God.”
Separation of the all that a believer
does has led many to feel as though they are second-class believers, who then
become dissatisfied with their vocations while looking for “the great Christian
someday,” a day when ministry will fulfill them. Considering the list of admonitions
at the start of this article, how do any of them apply to the first thirty years of the Savior’s life?
He had a Kingdom to start, apostles to train, the whole of mankind to save, and
yet for years He continued to work at a carpenter’s bench! In Him we see that the life of
heaven and the life of earth can become one in the daily tasks of humanity.
I remember succumbing to
the teaching that spirituality equals activity. I felt condemned if I
were not witnessing to everyone I met, yet the effort was rarely fruitful. I then discovered rest and
became motivated to live for the glory of God. I stopped pressing for
salvation decisions and began looking for ways to love. Rarely a week goes by that I do not find myself
witnessing, but now it is natural, not contrived of my own doing, and it is
fruitful. I love Christianity, for there is nothing else like it; it is unique,
absolute, and it is the way.
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
Pretty easy, isn’t it? Get rid of
the activity, discover rest, live for the glory of God, find your life actually
being His Life…natural, fruitful, unique, absolute…The Way.
Well, amen.
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NOTICE: another blog on
Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness, called Getting Out of the
Wilderness. You can access by logging onto
www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches,
TX 75963 936-559-5696
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