I serve on the women’s leadership team at my church. I have had this “burden” for women’s ministry for several years. It was the first area of the church that God appointed me, and it has been my passion ever since that time. In fact, I went to seminary because I became aware that my teaching had reached a place that needed to be more informed. My love for learning seemed perfectly matched for His call to preparation.
That being said, I serve on a wonderful women’s leadership team. I can’t even tell you the things that we laughed about at the last meeting. I really can’t tell you in writing...too incriminating. Oh, and we did a lot of business, too.
I had the opportunity to go to the YouLead conference with these ladies a few weeks ago, and it was incredibly helpful. I recommend it for your women’s leadership team, if it is in your area.
The topic of one session was, ‘going with God’. We all pray that, right? We want to be available for God to use us, expanding His ministry through us, or maybe we just pray that on good days. Nonetheless, I would say in the blogging world most people desire increase, not decrease. Most people living their ministry, desire more influence, not less. I am not necessarily talking about numbers, but hearts ripe for transformation.
At the conference, Chris Adams challenged us by saying that you cannot stay where you are and go with God. When she spoke these words, my head whipped around because she was on the mark. You cannot stay where you are and go with God. You have to find where God is working and join Him there. This is a great definition of ministry.
Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. - John 5:19, NRSV
Jesus could do nothing on his own. He saw the Father working and He copied that. He only worked where He saw His Father.
I wonder how my efforts would look if I diligently looked for the Father, if I watched His course and made my plans around that, and nothing else?
I would save time.
I would save heartache.
I would save headaches.
I would be with the Father.
Would your efforts look different?
This is something that has taken me a long time to grasp. For so long I was more concerned about increasing my own influence instead of just going where He led. It's still hard - I love affirmation! :P But I also feel so FREE because I am not tied down to the usual things that are so tempting in online ministry - you know, worrying about getting more exposure, etc. God has shown me time and again that He has all of that under control and my perfectionist control-freak self can just do what I am supposed to do today. He doesn't call me perfectionist control-freak, by the way. Those are my words! :P
ReplyDeletethank you for posting this. I needed to hear this today. I actually was saying, "Hey, where'd You go?" And it seems that He is going and doing and I have stayed in the exact same spot--still desiring to go, but unaware that I wasn't really moving. Just walking in the same spot. Make sense? Hope so. Thanks again. You always encourage me!
ReplyDelete-Redeemed diva
you know, its so funny because I have always drug my feet and have felt for a while He was calling me into Womens Ministry @ my church.So awhile back I finally came fwd after a message on being obediant to the call and told the Pastor. Then he spoke to the WMT leader, and she told me they would love it... then I got a call later telling me that they they didnt need any assistance in any are. Sooo I waited and still felt like I was just supposed to be obediant, even if nothing came of it. My hubz then said somthing to the pastor and then he went to the WMT leader again and nothing resulted from it. So I guess it just isnt the right time. I know when you are rght where He wants you, its indescribible and I pray that for you!!! xoxo LA
ReplyDeleteThat quote...wow. I needed to hear that. I love your heart Tracy. It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLooking diligently to Him. With Him as my focus. I am trying. And learning more every single day.
Oh, Tracy. We DO have so much in common. I have recently had women's ministry laid upon my heart and have taken the role of the Coordinator of our MOPS group in our church. I so get what you are saying - since I accepted this position, I have learned that I can't give out what I am not filling up for myself and I have to MOVE. I have to GO with God right now. I had to put away some other dreams I was pursuing because I know He is calling me to this right now. He specifically has told me that the other stuff will wait but I have to move and go now. What a timely read - thank you for writing this!
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