As the church grows, problems seem to appear out of no where. We become on fire for God, and then in our zeal, we forget somethings. We think about the things that we can do for so many. Then we become overwhelmed by all of the things we want to do that we forget the beginning of our lives in following Christ. Maybe I am the only one, but I commit to serving in the food pantry every month, serving in the nursery every week, discipleship classes, mentoring others, Bible study classes, all in addition to my everyday responsibilities as a wife and mother of a bunch of guys. On top of that, my commitment to developing relationships with ladies of faith to guide me and for me to guide. All of these things are great! But when they drown out my first priority, that is where we have a problem.
Acts 6:2-4 is where I found myself reflecting today. Here is what it says in the Amplified version of the Bible.
So the Twelve called the disciples together and said, "It is not appropriate for us to neglect [teaching] the word of God in order to serve tables and manage the distribution of food. Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will [continue to] devote ourselves [steadfastly] to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
In this passage we find the problem. A number of the Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jews responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, the language barrier led to the unintentional neglect of some of the needy widows. So the apostles called on the Greek-speaking community to choose a few good men to fill in the gap.
Now the essential work of the apostles was their devotion to prayer and to the ministry of the word of God. But because of all of the tasks, they were being bogged down by doing rather than prayer and preaching. This good but misplaced focused on meeting the physical needs of the people shifted their focus off of the spiritual needs and specific calling of the apostles to lead in prayer and spreading the gospel of Jesus.
Our number one focus should always be placed on God, then others. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is this: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” He said, “This is the first and greatest commandment.” Then He said, “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].'” (Matthew 22:37-39, AMP). Everything God told us and showed us points to these two things in this order. First, love God; then, love others.
This is not to say that we neglect caring for others and become hermits that just read the Bible and pray. That is not what this means. In praying with God, communing with Him, we hear Him tell us what to do and how to do it well. Notice in Exodus 18: 13-36 when Moses was doing all of the tasks of interceding between God and the people to settle any and every disagreement. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, advises him to delegate these tasks to qualified men. He says to teach them the decrees and laws so that they lead over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Jethro said to Moses, “If you will do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure [the responsibility], and all these people will also go back to their tents in peace. (Ex. 18:23, AMP)” This guidance allowed Moses to place his priority back to God first, and it allowed for peace for the rest of the people.
Another thing is that we all have a role in life. We are given talents and gifts specifically for what God calls us to do. We don’t all have the same gifts and talents because we don’t all have the same function. Paul talks about this in his first letter to the Corinthians. He said, “For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12, AMP).” He goes on to say, “For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs] (v 14).” Then in verse 18, he says, “But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts of the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function].”
God has placed us where we are to do what we are to do. And the only way we can know what we are to do and how we are to do them is to be devoted to prayer and His Word. Our life needs to be connected to God in communion so that we can care for others well, perfectly balanced the way God intends. So, my advice to you is to devote your lives to prayer first, communicating to the Creator of the Universe and drawing on His strength and power. And then continue with what He directs you to do in caring for others and managing your life’s responsibilities.
Gotta go fill up my cup…..
Coffee with Candee 