Balancing Life, Work and Ministry, Part 2

Life is busy.  God does not desire us to be burnt out because we are losing our balance.  Finding balance in work, life and ministry is important.

Be willing to ask for help 

We don’t have to be Superwoman and do it all by ourselves.  Often I find myself exploding in frustration because I try to do it all without asking for help.  Sometimes I am too proud to ask for help, but at other times I just expect others to see the needs and to help out.  Usually, others don’t see the same needs that I see. 

When asking for help, keep in mind:

• Clearly state what you need help with.  People are more willing to help when they know exactly how they can help.  For example, when asking kids to help clean the house, give them specific tasks to accomplish.
• State your time-line expectations.  If I tell my husband that the trash is ready to go out, I might be thinking that I want it taken out right now.  He might be thinking that he can take it in the morning when he leaves.  When people don’t know the time frame of your expectations, frustration can occur for all involved.
• Others have the right to say no.  If you are asking someone to help in ministry, consider they may have too much on their plate already or not feel called to the same ministry as you.  If they say no, don’t take it personal and look for someone else to ask.
• Not everyone will do a task exactly like you.  Be humble enough to accept that your way isn’t the only way to get something accomplished and be graceful enough to accept that someone else’s best efforts may not be as great as yours.

Redefine what ministry is

As we go through life, we can be involved in a variety of ministries.  Ministry in church is only one aspect.  As a pastor’s wife I know how our churches are always needing more help and we never have enough people involved, yet if we only think of ministry as something that happens at church, we are missing the mark.  Ministry is something not just for those in the church and not something we do because of a ministry position or title but should be aimed at showing the love of Christ to those He has put in our lives. 

Recently a non-Christian neighbor/friend of mine had surgery.  Out of my care for her, I found myself “ministering” to her.  I made her a meal.  I sent her encouraging text messages and mailed her a card.  I spent an afternoon just hanging out with her while she was recuperating.  I prayed.  I didn’t spend time preaching to her, but I tried to show her that she is a valuable person and to show her the love of Christ.

Be willing to look for opportunities to minister both in and outside of the church: 

• In the morning surrender the day to God and ask Him to open your eyes to how you can minister to someone else.
• If you aren’t in a ministry position at church, don’t think that you aren’t in a position to minister.  You have neighbors, friends, co-workers, and neighbors who will look to you as an example of Christ.