Finding God’s Rhythm in Ministry
I sat on the edge of my bed this morning, staring at my planner with its mile-long to-do list. Bible study to prepare, blog posts to write, ladies' retreat sessions to plan, Holiday Bible Club to coordinate, missionary reports due... My heart ached with the weight of it all while my body protested with its usual chorus of pain.
"Lord," I whispered, "I don't think I can do this anymore."
Have you felt caught between these two realities? On one side, there's the undeniable truth that souls hang in the balance—real people who will spend eternity somewhere. On the other, there are the physical, emotional, and spiritual limitations of our humanity.
This tension is as old as ministry itself. The Apostle Paul described it perfectly: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair" (2 Corinthians 4:8). He understood both the urgency and the reality of human frailty.
I've witnessed two dangerous extremes in Wales. Some believers hide behind "avoiding burnout" as an excuse for minimal engagement with a lost world. Others work themselves into exhaustion, believing the salvation of others rests entirely on their shoulders. Neither approach reflects God's design.
Scripture provides a more excellent way. Jesus Himself withdrew to pray, even with multitudes seeking Him. Yet He also said, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4). He demonstrated perfect balance—urgent purpose without frantic anxiety.
Here's what the Lord is teaching me about this sacred balance:
Recognize the difference between carrying a burden and being crushed by it. Jesus said, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). If ministry consistently crushes you, you're likely carrying something He never asked you to carry.
Steward your resources wisely. Your health, time, and energy are not unlimited. They're gifts to be invested strategically. Sometimes the most spiritual decision is to work smarter, not just harder.
Remember who the actual Savior is. We plant and water, but God gives the increase. Our responsibility is faithful obedience, not results.
Build ministry partnerships. Even Jesus sent disciples out in pairs. Who might God be calling to share your burden?
I've learned that true effectiveness isn't measured by exhaustion but by obedience. When I serve from overflow rather than emptiness, I bring living water rather than stagnant drops squeezed from an empty vessel.
Perhaps the question isn't whether we should do more or less, but rather: Are we doing the right things, in the right way, for the right reasons, with the right power source? Ministry that flows from intimate connection with Christ will bear lasting fruit without destroying the branch that bears it.
Remember, God called us to walk with Him first and to serve others from the overflow of that walk, not in place of it. And God never calls us to work for Him in a way that disconnects us from Him.