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Church Doesn’t Always Come First

Video / Produced by The High Calling

Sometimes, the best way to keep from burning out at work may be to look at where our true ministry lies; even the best causes can sometimes take more than we have to give.

Take a second, and just think about what it would be like if all of us were preachers. What about if all of us left our hometowns and entered the mission field? It's pretty clear that if we all devoted ourselves solely to church work, then the church wouldn't work.

Paul reminds us that the church is a body, composed of separate, equally vital parts. Imagine if your feet decided that they'd rather be hands (and that's just one of the more feasible examples I could mention). God has created us as individuals, and by doing so He's given His Church literally millions of ways to experience His love, and to reflect His glory.

It's important not to let anything we do become an idol; whether it's work in an office or in the pulpit. If we can avoid compartmentalizing our "Christian lives" from our day-to-day experiences, that will go a long way towards doing this.

Want to hear more? You can find this video, with transcript, and dozens more over at the High Calling YouTube Channel.

Transcript:

Steve was promoted into a top management spot at work. For the first time, he could help influence company policy and direction. Wow! This was exciting . . . and humbling. Steve prayed for wisdom and strength to lead well, to glorify God in his new role.

For the first few months, Steve knew he would have to devote extra time to work. He cleared his calendar of all evening commitments except work or family. But his pastor was unhappy. He said: "You always lead the clothing drive. Don't forget: church comes first."

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Let's not make church work into an idolatry. Church doesn't come first. God's will comes first. Everything we do is church . . . in the high calling of our daily work.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thes. 5:16-18)