A Balancing Act...It's Not Just For Clowns...

I am very passionate about my ministry. I believe God has given me an incredible privilege to lead such a crucial ministry. Everything I do relates to my ministry in one fashion or another. It is so easy to get caught up in my ministry calling and forget to balance out the rest of my life, i.e. my spouse, my children and especially myself. I am at times extremely driven. Driven in what I think my ministry should look like... what my leadership should look like... I have the timing and expectations down and it should be excellent. How can it be anything else? Right?

Balance Out Knowledge, Experience and Arrogance
In the past, There were times when someone would try to give me advice, I would hear them however I may not listen to them. I didn't necessarily listen to them, because I believed I knew what was right. I was so confident, at times arrogant, that I was doing everything right based on my past experiences that I would miss the golden nugget. There is always some truth to what is being said. Now when someone gives me advice, criticizes me, my leadership or my ministry, I not only hear them, but I listen to them. I take some time to process what was said, balance out my knowledge, my past experiences and then pick out the golden nugget of truth. Then, I lay down my pride and I work to make changes that will make me and my ministry better.

Balance Out Passion and Timing
Here is what I know. God's timing is always perfect. Sometimes, I have to honor and respect authority above me and trust that the same spirit in me, lives in them. I must extend grace as they learn and grow, just as grace has been extended to me. I must wait patiently as God reveals to them the timing of things, even the things that I am passionate about. I have to balance out my passions with God's timing. God has placed them in authority over me. I have to trust God in them by honoring and respecting their authority. Leading without honor and respect is not Godly. It is undermining their authority. If I have a strong belief in a situation or have a value that I am passionate about, then I should go to my leader and discuss my passion. Ultimately, I should trust God in my leader. Most times, when I have decided to trust God and let God's timing unfold, I have found that God was working on my heart not theirs.

Balancing Out Myself
Ministry is 24/7 and it never ends. There are times when I have to be told to stop. I need to balance out my time and energy. Yes, there are seasons where I have to launch a program, a new church service or a special event that will require more of my time. However, on those off seasons, I must take some time to balance out my heart, rest my soul and refresh my calling. It is ok to take that time. I have to give myself permission to take the time. Plan for it and be faithful to commit to it.