Fulfill Your Ministry
As for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5 CSB)
Fulfill your ministry. After reading in 2 Timothy one morning early in 2018, I wrote these words in one of my writing journals. I thought that phrase could function as my “word” for the year. I was to fulfill my ministry; I was going to do important things in 2018. Then I struggled and faltered and questioned. What exactly was my ministry?
God equips us for what he wants us to do. We’re the ones who put on all the pressure. When we feel led by God to do something, how many times do we just do it? Too often we overthink it, add conditions to it, stress about the right way to do it and the timing of it, and so on and so on.
The Bible is full of examples of people who (eventually) accepted a task from the Lord before they were ready. At first, Moses objected to being a leader, Gideon asked for multiple signs, and after the disciples ran away scared when Jesus was arrested, they went out into the world on his behalf. However, that’s not where their stories ended. They put their faith wholly in the Lord and accomplished what he wanted them to do.
At first, I thought writing was my ministry. But the more I pondered this verse about fulfilling my ministry, the more I felt that my ministry was something more. I finally realized that the bulk of my ministry is right before me in my home and my classroom—in my everyday life.
Sometimes we get so stressed and overwrought about what we’re “supposed to” do, what we’re “called” to do, that we miss the whole point of serving the Lord. It’s never about us. The Lord can accomplish his will with or without us, but he wants us to use our free will to serve him, and he wants us to rely on his guidance and strength.
For years, I didn’t get this. I struggled with how to put my faith in action. I was sure I needed to do something big, bold, or complicated. Could I really glorify God with just my day-to-day life? The answer was yes, because that’s where real life happens.
I’ve always identified with Martha in the Mary and Martha story. Jesus was visiting their home, and Martha was slaving away in the kitchen while her sister Mary sat at his feet absorbing every word he spoke. Understandably, Martha was a little miffed by this. They had a house full of people and somebody had to get things done. Jesus gently rebuked her: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41 CSB).
Even though this rebuke came straight out of Jesus’s mouth, I always felt defensive of Martha. That’s great that Jesus was there, but everybody still wanted to eat, right? I failed to grasp the point Jesus was making when he said that one thing was necessary. Martha was focused on the wrong thing; as Jesus said, she was worried and upset about many things. Can you relate to that? I can. She was overwhelmed and upset about all the work because she forgot about Jesus.
During the Christmas Eve service at church, it finally clicked for me. I don’t have to do anything. Jesus has already done it all. If I truly believe this—and I do—all I need to do is share his love with others. That’s it. It’s not complicated or difficult. Just share Jesus. No monumental action required.
This realization meant so much to my type-A-planning-checklist-perfectionist-sometimes-overwhelmed heart. I realized that instead of trying to glorify the Lord with my actions, I was trying to take his job. This lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. God can use me, but the world is not my responsibility. I’m meant to reflect the Lord, not be him.
We can fulfill our ministry by letting our love for Jesus show in our day-to-day actions. We don’t need to over-complicate it.
Big, bold action is great. Achievements and accomplishments are great. But none of that matters one bit without Jesus. In Matthew 5:14–16 Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (CSB).
is a writer, blogger, and middle school teacher. She and her husband live in Georgia with their three children. In addition to teaching and writing, Dana loves to read, paddle board, and sometimes run. She blogs about faith, family, and enjoying the everyday life at danaherndon.com.
Photograph © Max, used with permission
