Taking Up Space

I've been thinking a lot the last couple of days about how I fill the space that is alloted to me. Frankly, I need to exercise so I take up a little less space, but that is a bit off topic. No, my question is - am I just taking up space, or am I filling it with something of substance?

Maybe if I give you a little background, it will help clarify the situation. When I started out in ministry over 10 years ago, I was under the impression that it was better to burn out for Jesus than to fade out. As a result, I spent a lot of time filling positions in the church because I could. That is to say, I didn't necessarily undertake the task because it was something God told me specifically that I was to do. Instead, I took every need in the church as a call to action. I literally burned myself out.

I was convinced that if I wasn't busy all the time, I wasn't accomplishing all God wanted me to do. I led small groups, taught Sunday school, worked with the youth group, led worship, etc, etc. The end result was that I settled. I settled for being busy for God rather than being effective. I had so many balls in the air that it was impossible to give any one area my full attention. I am certain that I not only robbed myself and the people to whom I was ministering by doing this, but I also robbed others who might have taken part in areas of ministry that I was simply occupying.

Instead of trying to ascertain what exactly God wanted me to do for him I launched into one project after another and simply asked him to bless what I determined I should be doing. I settled for His acceptable will rather than His perfect will. I had a really hard time understanding the difference between the two until God allowed me to go down another wrong path that forced me to slow down and take stock of my ministry.

Romans 12:1-2 tells us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. It goes on to say that as our minds are renewed by living for Him, we will learn to discern His good and acceptable and perfect will. I am no theologian and have never claimed to be; however, my life experience tells me that there is a difference between God's acceptable will and His perfect will.

Isn't it interesting that the very next section of scripture, Romans 12:3-8, talks about everyone in the body having different gifts and using those gifts for God? Now, I had never really thought about it this way before, but I believe that God is telling us that just because we can do something does not necessarily mean we should. He has specific plans for our ministry beyond just filling a need.

It is hard to say no to someone when they ask you for help and you believe you can fill that need. I would caution you with this: pray first. Learn to distinguish between what God allows you to do and what He desires you to do. Sometimes it may mean saying no to a position or area of ministry to which you feel called because it simply is not the right time. Other times it may mean saying yes to something you feel is far beyond your capabilities. The key is to make those decisions based on the counsel you find in your prayer closet. Never allow someone to pressure you into an area of ministry because there is a need you can fill.

The difference between God's acceptable will and His perfect will could be the difference between success and failure in an endeavor. If He is simply allowing you to pursue something of your own choosing, you will never have the peace, joy and success that you desire. However, if you will wait on Him - actively wait on Him by praying and seeking His will, He will direct you. Then and only then will your ministry know success - joy even in difficulty, peace even in the midst of turmoil.

It may not be an easy road that He sets your feet upon, but it will be rewarding. And as you are living your life in the center of His perfect will, you will have no doubts that He has you safely in the palm of His hand!