Techical glitch at 25 mins means a few minutes are missing. See text below ...
Taking care of yourself is essential to remain effective until you complete yourministry, If Jesus is Lord - creator and sustainer of your body, then we honourhim by taking care of ourselves. He created us with bodies that need regularperiods and seasons of rest. He created us with bodies that require thenourishment of good food and water and the discipline of exercise, to functionat the optimum level. He created us with emotions to make us aware of theimpact of what is going on around about us in this fallen world, thatdesperately needs Jesus. I want to encourage you, pay godly attention to yourphysical and emotional needs, and you will find yourself more effective inspiritual matters – all three realms are vital for Christian ministry.
If I haven’t been clear enough – everyone of us hasministry to do as we love God and love people – staying true to those goals inany and every context is the most challenging work of all. You need to be fitfor the task, or you’ll fall short, miss the mark. If you don’t look after yourself,like God intends, then it’s not just you that gets stressed, depressed and sick– but you’ll impact people close to you and the fallout can be wide reachingand long lasting. Sometimes the Christian call to sacrificial living, servantleadership – dying to self – is idolized over the creation mandate to rest, andthe constant reminders to trust God and not rely on our own wisdom and strength.
Ministry is first and foremost an offering to God.It’s worship – giving him your efforts, your life. He deserves our best, sothat’s a good reason for taking care of ourselves, so he is getting the best wecan be for him. At the same time, ministry is first and foremost for others,not yourself. It’s always to be focused on pouring yourself out so others willknow the love God has lavished on you. You can’t pour yourself out if you’rerunning on empty. Taking care of yourself enables you to minister to othersmore deeply and effectively.
This requires humility, wisdom and courage. Knowing your limits and acknowledging when you reach the end of yourself. It requires holding on to your ministry with very steady, open hands – neither letting it slip through your fingers, nor clutching it to yourself.Ultimately, your ministry is God’s. We are partners in the mission of God andall we do for the sake of the Kingdom is his – He can be trusted to take careof what is His. He chooses to employ us, but he doesn’t need us. He is God. Weare not.
