"A labor of love," is how he described his position, and he fulfilled it with a great deal of success. Being retired from construction, he had the background to be the facilities maintenance man for the church, and he lived for it. It was a ministry that God appointed him too, and he loved it. It gave him a reason to get up every morning, and the grounds showed it. The campus showed the love of God everywhere. So whenever a problem came up, they sought him out, and it was remedied. And since his was a volunteer position, he ran the facilities as God showed him. Being blessed by not needing an income, he loved what he was doing, and it showed. But one day the church board decided to put him on staff. He would be an employee, with a small salary, and the love faded. Now he had a job. Instead of God's inspiration, he had a board's direction, and reported to men, who of course had their own ideas, and rules. Whereas he would arrive early and stay late, now he had hours. And soon the love was gone, and he retired. The board never knowing how they had robbed this man of his joy.
"You're doing it anyway," we were told, "so take the position." And we did, working within a national ministry. And soon found out like my friend, that working for God is better than an organization with rules. And when the pressure came to the point of their rules versus trusting God, we quit the position. And soon were forced out of the ministry. And a great burden was lifted, and today we minister more, and more effectively, with no rules or interference-with take guidance from God, instead of a board, or men with titles, and watch as they keep God in a box, and wonder why they have meetings, and we have divine appointments.
So earlier this year, when I was approached, being told, "you're doing it anyway," a flag went up, a big, red one. I could give up my freedom in the spirit, and trusting God, to fall under some rules and regulations and minister within a set of laws and regulations, both of which hinder the spirit of God. Can't bring Jesus, might offend the Muslim. Or Jew. Or Christian. Or whatever. So what if what you do is in love-which perfectly describes God, by the way, we have programs and procedures to help you, but you will need to give up your freedom to serve man. And, after paying for this course, you even get a certificate to serve. Whee! I can just see Jesus passing out diplomas, to men and women who paid for their courses, skipping over those who couldn't afford to, and not getting the certificate. Unfit to serve without it, they would be told. And being graded on things like attendance-mandatory, following the rules, and reading a book. Not the Bible, remember that offensive thing? Which all may be good-but isn't the gospel free? Did Jesus charge for lessons? All so we could have more rules and laws-laws which the religious obeyed, the same religious that came to kill Him? And did? Maybe I read it wrong when He says He came to set us free from religion. Doesn't the law kill and the spirit give life?
So faced with another decision, I think I have already made it. I have been approved to counsel one on one at church. A good thing, and an honorable thing. But already the rules are showing up, "and you do it anyway," has been offered to me. A book to follow, not the Bible, but an aid to it, and a curriculum to follow, step by step. And I have asked God, what is more important, following the rules of this in church ministry, or following Him? I already know the answer, I hope you do too.
Years ago when God put it on my heart to go into ministry, I was given priceless advice from a man who walked with God. He told me simply, "do not fall under a church or an organization. For the vision that God has given you will only be tarnished, and turn into their vision with their rules and regulations, and you will lose the vision. Trust God!" And so I have, and maybe that is what people see, for I know that is what makes me successful. So why do they want to take me, and make me come under their rules? Don't they get it? Are their rules better than God's direction?
Ask God today where and what He wants you to do. If within church-do it. If outside of church-do it. But do it for God, not for a title or a position-and definitely not for the paycheck. Where God guides, he provides. And I have always found that He does it more abundantly than I could ask for or ever imagine.
"But we need rules, so we can function." No, you need the Holy Spirit! Keep your laws, I'll keep my morals. And walk in the freedom that God gives you-free from rules. And for a title, just call me friend. That's what Jesus calls me. If that's good enough for Him, it ought to be good enough for us!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
