Zeke (that’s what I call him now) is teaching me some valuable principles about life.
The first two principles are:
- Choose your legacy.
- Do first things first.
Today, Zeke slips a little one sentence instruction in 2 Chronicles 29:11 for me. He says to the Priests,
“My Sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.”
In this simple sentence Zeke warns me about ministry negligence. I have to be honest…I have been negligent in the past.
Ministry Negligence happens when we take our calling for granted. Serving in ministry is weighty. It is unlike any other job I have ever had. If a minister is not careful he will forget that what he does is minister to God and to be His minister to others.
When I forget that it is by God’s good grace that I do what I do I become negligent. I forget that I did not earn this role but rather have been chosen by God to serve in this capacity. You show me a Pastor that believes he has earned his position and I’ll show you someone that is experiencing ministry negligence. You cannot pridefully stand in the presence of God.
We can avoid ministry negligence when we live with a proper view of who we are and who God is. It is a daily reminder that I am where I am because of God’s grace and not my effort!
How have you been negligent in your calling?
We’ll continue this conversation on Monday…Have a great weekend!