Have you ever seen this? Automatic sprinklers running while its raining? Talk about wasted resources!
Now, this isn’t to say that I have a problem with sprinklers. In fact, I think irrigation is a good thing. God has created plants to need water and also provides rain. But he has also given us dominion of the earth – and with that, the responsibility to take care of it.
However, unless we’re trying to set up an irrigation system in anticipation of the future, I believe that it is totally ludicrous for us to irrigate while God is providing rain. Unless God has directed us to do so, there is no need or reason for us to try to do what God is already doing.
All too often, however, we start something that is necessary at the time and then never check to see if it’s still needed. We set up a system and never actually manage it. We just turn it on and walk away. We pay our spiritual water bill and assume the investment of our resources is actually needed.
This applies to ministry too
How often do we set up spiritual automatic sprinklers and just let them go to town? Do we set things in motion and then never re-evaluate whether we need to continue? What are we trying to provide that God has already provided?
Let’s take a look at our lives and ministries. Is there anything that we’re trying to take care of – to provide – that God has provided? If so, thank God for his provision. And then let’s ask him if he wants us to continue in it.
It’s possible there’s something else he wants us to do – but that we won’t have the needed resources because we’re investing them elsewhere.
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Good word and well said.
Epic blog Bryan! Wow, the times I have wasted myself trying to HELP GOD, when he already had everything WELL COVERED! Sometimes, life and success is not a matter of what we can DO FOR GOD but how we can TRUST HIM to DO FOR US.
Well written… love your style! I'm gonna pray for you this morning Bryan… and for all your blog pals! Hope you guys and gals FEEL THE DIFFERENCE all day long!
Thanks Chuck. I appreciate your comment and your prayers.
Good point about the need to evaluate the use of resources. We do need to.
What kind of ministries are you referring to when you mention ones we put in motion and then forget to re-evaluate? It seems that the places the church ought to spend the most resources ought to also to never end. I'm thinking missions, discipleship, evangelism, prayer ministry, etc.
Daniel,
Thank you for your comment and question.
I'm hesitant to put anything regarding specific ministries because my purpose was to ask people to evaluate the ministries in which they or their churches (if they are in leadership) are involved. I was absolutely NOT referring to missions, discipleship, evangelism, prayer, etc. But I can see where I left the door open to heading down that path. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Ministries I'm referencing would be more specific and would be a particular MODE of missions, discipleship, benevolence, etc. Springing to mind might be offering a food pantry to people who don't actually need food – which might drain financial and human resources in the church as well as undermine the spiritual growth and work of Christ in the lives of those receiving ministry. In the right context (or as directed by God) this might be a viable and fruitful ministry. (I mention this because I am involved in the benevolence ministry of our church and continually seek God's direction on a case-by-case basis to ensure that I am being effective. Obedient first, wise second.)
I feel I must emphasize this again that I am not trying to take the place of God and tell you that you should drop a ministry. If you are directed by God to do something, its perceived effectiveness is not something for me to evaluate.
Which brings me back to the comment about unmanaged systems and my concerns about mentioning any specific ministries. Anything I might mention could be perceived as a system in itself. What we really need is for people to spend time with God to understand where he is directing them and their resources.
Systems can be right and good. But we must not pass off to systems the work that God has entrusted to people. And in all things do what God has directed.
Thank you again for bringing this up.
Daniel,
Thank you for your comment and question.
I'm hesitant to put anything regarding specific ministries because my purpose was to ask people to evaluate the ministries in which they or their churches (if they are in leadership) are involved. I was absolutely NOT referring to missions, discipleship, evangelism, prayer, etc. But I can see where I left the door open to heading down that path. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Ministries I'm referencing would be more specific and would be a particular MODE of missions, discipleship, benevolence, etc. Springing to mind might be offering a food pantry to people who don't actually need food – which might drain financial and human resources in the church as well as undermine the spiritual growth and work of Christ in the lives of those receiving ministry. In the right context (or as directed by God) this might be a viable and fruitful ministry. (I mention this because I am involved in the benevolence ministry of our church and continually seek God's direction on a case-by-case basis to ensure that I am being effective. Obedient first, wise second.)
I feel I must emphasize this again that I am not trying to take the place of God and tell you that you should drop a ministry. If you are directed by God to do something, its perceived effectiveness is not something for me to evaluate.
Which brings me back to the comment about unmanaged systems and my concerns about mentioning any specific ministries. Anything I might mention could be perceived as a system in itself. What we really need is for people to spend time with God to understand where he is directing them and their resources.
Systems can be right and good. But we must not pass off to systems the work that God has entrusted to people. And in all things do what God has directed.
Thank you again for bringing this up.