Trusting: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Trusting

            Time only

            all we can see now

            plan with open hands

            act with commitment

            trusting each day’s

            purpose to fulfill

            timing under boundaries.

Reflection: Ministry: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How do you manage/value your time? Your call?

2.     Do you see your ministry as an integral part of all your day, or as a particular assignment that is separate? What distinguishes either opinion?

3.     How would you define Paul’s term “fully” for yourself?

Share: What word do you most want others to hear about Jesus?

Ministry: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 5-6

“As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. As for me I am already being poured out as a libation and the time of my departure has come.”

Time. So elusive. So fast-paced. So valuable. So fragile.

Out of curiosity I went to Amazon to look up books under Time Management. The overview list said 32, 638 and gave 35 categories in which to narrow down the search—supposedly. There were then 5,521 choices under Personal Time Management and 740 under Parenting and Relationships. We are bombarded from all sides. We spoon out pieces here and there wherever we can. Yet Paul says we are to carry out fully. How can we figure out what that even looks like?

Time. Choices.

Paul did not live under the frenetic busyness of today’s world and yet his words show a deep sense of priority and commitment to stay his course whether a few hours, days, weeks, or years were yet to come. His heart, ministry, and purpose he saw as being under the Lord’s authority.

Time. Battleground.

Jesus said, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34. He is not promising a smooth organized day. But He does the promise the gifts of prayer and the Holy Spirit and a personal relationship with each of us.

Time. Trust.

Are we willing to be poured out daily as the Lord leads? What if the call of the day is caring for a cranky toddler instead of presenting a prestigious seminar to colleagues. (Or vice versa in desire.) Are we willing to fully engage in what each day deals us?

Lord, please give us wisdom to discern how You desire we live the life and ministry You choose for us. And trust in Your timing to do the work Your way.

Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:3

“We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”