Ministry is for the Birds

This past year I learned to love Jesus more by loving ministry less.

I love ministry. I love studying and sharing the Bible. I love engaging in spiritual conversations. But I developed an uneasy feeling I was loving it a little too much.

I have COVID-19 to thank for this revelation. When the pandemic hit, ministry, as I knew it, came to a screeching halt. I became frustrated and impatient. I could “do nothing,” but not in the way Jesus meant.

I had a breakthrough one day as I drove through downtown Toronto. I was impressed with the abundance of two things: buildings and birds. The buildings were impressive, but rigid. The birds were rather unremarkable, but full of life.

This got me thinking: Which of these best captures the essence of discipleship and disciple-making? Which needs abiding in Jesus, and which can be done in my own strength?

I realized I had been doing a lot of building projects in ministry. But as I started thinking of disciples as birds, I felt a burden lifting from my spirit. If I am working with Jesus, not for him, then the following is true.

First, I can disciple with curiosity, not control. Instead of imposing a to-do list, I share truth and then watch how they respond to the Spirit. Without him, I can do nothing.

Second, I can disciple with patience, not pressure. The truth is, some of my disciples will be more migratory than I would like. And who among us hasn’t experienced days when, instead of fervency for Christ, we were just barely hanging on? Just as Christ is patient with us, we can be patient with others. Without him, we can do nothing.

Finally, I can disciple in faith, not frustration. Ever feel your disciples were more Judas than John? Was it because they weren’t working the plan? Remember, this is not a competition, and they aren’t ultimately our disciples. We did not begin the work in them, and we will not carry it to completion. Jesus will. Without him, we can do nothing.

When I am abiding in Christ, I am free from the pressure to perform, and my disciples are free from the pressure to conform to my image and be transformed into his. The result is life – noisy and messy, for sure, but abundant, full, and free!

I still love ministry; I just love Jesus more. Without him, 

I can do nothing.

Key Quotation

This past year I learned to love Jesus more by loving ministry less.

Question

Who is your first love?

Jim Beerley, Crossworld Canada