The Thoughts of a Young Preacher

I am one of those independent people. I like to take care of things of my own. I like to do things a certain way. I don't like to do things half way. I am either going to do the very best I can do or nothing at all. For the most part that is not a huge problem. People like someone that is willing to work hard. Yet the longer that I am in full time ministry the more I realize the fault in this type of mindset. Independence is fine as long as you leave God out of the picture. That is what our culture teaches us. I am not 100 % sure but I think for the most part it is an American thing. Just do it, your way right away, and all kind of messages are thrown at us by our culture. I think at least in some ways this mindset makes our country a great place but not when it comes to God. Like I said before this becomes crystal clear in ministry. You see you can preach the best lessons, teach the best Bible classes, plan the most enriching retreats, and organize the most entertaining fellowship events and if God does not bless your ministry then really nothing special will happen. I hear alot about ministers feeling "burnt-out" and while I can understand that feeling from time to time I can't help but wonder is it because we try and rely to much on ourselves. If we are truly dependent on God will he not lift us up. We he not guide and direct us ? I have really learned the great value in a committed prayer life. Why is it as Christians that we can fill our lives with Godly activities and yet not take the time to spend praying and talking with the one we call our Lord. When I find myself feeling pushed to the max, or overwhelmed with my life I usually find that I am trying to be too independent and not fully relying on God for my strength. Gods strength will always be more then enough. It just takes a little more dependence to figure that out. I close these thoughts with glimpse into a conversation of sorts between Paul and the Lord. Paul wants God to take away a problem for Him and the Lord reminds him of something. 2 Cor 12:9- he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

May we learn to allow the Lord to be our strength. May we proudly be dependent on Him!