Keeping the Vision 5

Romans 15:5-7


I can’t help but feel a little guilty when I see someone else working harder than I do. In the past few weeks we have had some church dinners and we have cleared away the Christmas decorations. All these events required several people pitching in and doing what they could to get things accomplished.

I was not the hardest working person in all of these situations. In actuality there were likely only one or two people who really put in extra effort. But instead of feeling jealous or guilty we should celebrate the fact that this person or that was able to do something – find a ministry – in which they could excel.

It takes a great deal of people, in fact all of us, to accomplish the work of God’s kingdom. Each of us is blessed with certain gifts and abilities. Each of us has various interests and areas of expertise or skill. When all of these come together any job can be accomplished.

Paul has something to say about the diversity of work in the church. What does he want for the believers? What will be the result of a spirit of unity? What should we do? Why?

If we will live out the love of Christ in our faith walk, if we will do things for the ministry of the world, we must be willing to do our part in what needs to be accomplished. We cannot sit idly by and allow everyone else do the work of God. But we should also not be the persons who try to do everything on our own.

True ministry, truly doing the work of God’s kingdom, requires that every one of us step forward to do our best. God is able to give us the endurance we need to get things done, and when we know we have done work for God we are blessed with a sense of encouragement.

We must work toward a sense of unity in our places of worship. When we all join together in ministry we are giving glory to God in a unified voice. Accepting our place in the work of the kingdom and accepting the work of others brings praise to God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to celebrate your own ministry as well as the ministry of others?