His Story: Ministry or Job?

My friend Sam sent this to me. I think it's something good to ponder on...

"Is it a Ministry or Just a Job?"

If you are doing it because no one else will, it's a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a ministry.
If you are doing it just well enough to get by, it's a job.
If you are doing it to the best of your ability, it's a ministry.
If you will do it only so long as it doesn't interfere with other activities, it's a job.
If you are committed to staying with it, even when it means letting go of other things, it's a ministry.
If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it was a job.
If you stay with it even when no one seems to notice, it's a ministry.
If you do it because someone else says it needs to be done, it's a job.
If you do it because you are convinced it needs to be done, it's a ministry.

It is hard to get excited about a job. It is almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry. People may say, "Well done," when you do your job. The Lord will say, "Well done," when you complete your ministry. An average church is filled with people doing jobs. A great church is filled with people involved in ministry.

As I read this I poem I thought about the above scripture that we are all a part of the body with our own unique gifts and talents given by our Lord. We can use these gifts and talents in many ways, but are we using them as a job or a ministry? Are we using them out of obligation or out of an unexplainable passion? I was reminded once again of this great quote on passion.

“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive!” -Gil Baillie

I am taking the liberty to change it just slightly to prompt our thinking; “Don't ask yourself what the church needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the church needs is people who have come alive (in ministry)!”

Not sure? Ask God to awaken the passions He created you with and use them to serve in His calling in your life!

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