IPHC Ministers' Wives Fellowship

LIFT & LEAN

by
Sharon Atkinson

Working in full-time ministry for the past 30 years, I can honestly say, I have found ministry to be “the profession that satisfies the soul.” Though ministry is spelled W-O-R-K, it carries with it a timeless reward that makes every sacrifice pale in comparison.

Most ministry wives, however, in a moment of transparency, will admit our feelings toward the life of ministry to be a somewhat “love/hate” relationship. Though we love the Lord's work, it is a 24/7 responsibility that seems to be never completed. The “joy” of ministry can be easily lost in the relentless wave of lost and needy humanity pleading daily for answers from those who have chosen to follow God's call.

In my own experience, I have found the most difficult part of ministry to be my inability to see the “job completed” at the end of each day. Women, by nature, are “fixers” with an innate desire to put things in order. In our effort to help those who come to us in need of direction, hope, strength or wisdom, we feel as if we have failed if we are unable to “fix” their lives. Ministering to the needs of others is much like attempting to blow out trick candles on a birthday cake. About the time you think you've accomplished something, they ignite all over again and you find yourself doing the same task repeatedly. For someone with my personality, this can be quite frustrating. I am one of those “list makers” who finds great pleasure in checking off completed tasks. (Hey, I even write down things I've already completed just for the sheer pleasure of checking them off!! Yes, I need serious prayer!)

Recently, with the Lord's help, I have begun to see ministry from a new perspective that has freed me to, once again, enjoy my calling. This perspective has given me a renewed sense of accomplishment that has allowed me to enter that “rest” so necessary for successful ministry. It is an understanding that God is the fixer! I am simply to LIFTthe eyes of the fallen to Jesus and LEAN on Him to work out their life problems. A real bonus in this rest is the freedom to “enjoy” ministry when we realize it is not our performance that changes lives but God's intervention! Not once in Scripture have I found a verse stating “Fix thou all the problems that cometh to thy attention.” Instead, I find numerous verses instructing me, as an ambassador of the Gospel, to simply be the bearer of good news - lifting and encouraging the fallen and discouraged, and I am to do so, not in my own strength, but in His! Guess what ladies! We are not required to have all the answers nor are we expected to “fix” every issue brought before us! All together now….SIGH!

As ministry wives, we need to be reminded that God has called us to do two things: LIFT - others to a relationship with Jesus while we LEAN - on Him for wisdom, strength and direction to change their lives. It is God who is the “fixer,” not we ourselves. I wonder how many women in ministry carry a burden God never equipped them to carry only to find their joy of serving has been replaced by weariness and frustration.

Matt 11 says "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." THE MESSAGE

Do you desire to live “freely and lightly”, enjoying the work of ministry? I encourage you to lean against the Father and allow Him to lift the load of ministry from your shoulders. Success in ministry requires we be both those who LIFT and those who LEAN. In our own strength we can lift others only to the limited height of our human ability. It is when we learn to lean on the Lord that we find the joy of ministry returning. It is at this point we can rest in the knowledge that our task is complete, not because we can “fix” the problem, but because we have lifted the eyes of others to the One who can!

It is my prayer, dear sisters in ministry, that you come to know this rest. You have been chosen - handpicked by God Himself - to lift the eyes of this world to Jesus and to lean upon His arm for the
strength and wisdom to accomplish what He has called you to do. I encourage you to rest in this knowledge and begin today to enjoy the journey….”for the battle is not yours, but God's!” II Chron 20:15

TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE
“There are two kinds of people on earth today,
Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.
Not the good and the bad, for 'tis well understood
That the good are half-bad and the bad half-good
No! the two kinds of people on earth I mean
Are the people who LIFT and the people who LEAN
Ella Wheeler Wilcox


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		LIFT & LEAN by Sharon Atkinson Working in full-time ministry for the past 30 years, I can honestly say, I have found ministry to be “the profession that satisfies the soul.” Though ministry is spelled W-O-R-K, it carries with it a timeless reward that makes every sacrifice pale in comparison. Most ministry wives, however, in a moment of transparency, will admit our feelings toward the life of ministry to be a somewhat “love/hate” relationship. Though we love the Lord's work, it is a 24/7 responsibility that seems to be never completed. The “joy” of ministry can be easily lost in the relentless wave of lost and needy humanity pleading daily for answers from those who have chosen to follow God's call. In my own experience, I have found the most difficult part of ministry to be my inability to see the “job completed” at the end of each day. Women, by nature, are “fixers” with an innate desire to put things in order. In our effort to help those who come to us in need of direction, hope, strength or wisdom, we feel as if we have failed if we are unable to “fix” their lives. Ministering to the needs of others is much like attempting to blow out trick candles on a birthday cake. About the time you think you've accomplished something, they ignite all over again and you find yourself doing the same task repeatedly. For someone with my personality, this can be quite frustrating. I am one of those “list makers” who finds great pleasure in checking off completed tasks. (Hey, I even write down things I've already completed just for the sheer pleasure of checking them off!! Yes, I need serious prayer!) Recently, with the Lord's help, I have begun to see ministry from a new perspective that has freed me to, once again, enjoy my calling. This perspective has given me a renewed sense of accomplishment that has allowed me to enter that “rest” so necessary for successful ministry. It is an understanding that God is the fixer! I am simply to LIFTthe eyes of the fallen to Jesus and LEAN on Him to work out their life problems. A real bonus in this rest is the freedom to “enjoy” ministry when we realize it is not our performance that changes lives but God's intervention! Not once in Scripture have I found a verse stating “Fix thou all the problems that cometh to thy attention.” Instead, I find numerous verses instructing me, as an ambassador of the Gospel, to simply be the bearer of good news - lifting and encouraging the fallen and discouraged, and I am to do so, not in my own strength, but in His! Guess what ladies! We are not required to have all the answers nor are we expected to “fix” every issue brought before us! All together now….SIGH! As ministry wives, we need to be reminded that God has called us to do two things: LIFT - others to a relationship with Jesus while we LEAN - on Him for wisdom, strength and direction to change their lives. It is God who is the “fixer,” not we ourselves. I wonder how many women in ministry carry a burden God never equipped them to carry only to find their joy of serving has been replaced by weariness and frustration. Matt 11 says "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." THE MESSAGE Do you desire to live “freely and lightly”, enjoying the work of ministry? I encourage you to lean against the Father and allow Him to lift the load of ministry from your shoulders. Success in ministry requires we be both those who LIFT and those who LEAN. In our own strength we can lift others only to the limited height of our human ability. It is when we learn to lean on the Lord that we find the joy of ministry returning. It is at this point we can rest in the knowledge that our task is complete, not because we can “fix” the problem, but because we have lifted the eyes of others to the One who can! It is my prayer, dear sisters in ministry, that you come to know this rest. You have been chosen - handpicked by God Himself - to lift the eyes of this world to Jesus and to lean upon His arm for the strength and wisdom to accomplish what He has called you to do. I encourage you to rest in this knowledge and begin today to enjoy the journey….”for the battle is not yours, but God's!” II Chron 20:15 TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE “There are two kinds of people on earth today, Just two kinds of people, no more, I say. Not the good and the bad, for 'tis well understood That the good are half-bad and the bad half-good No! the two kinds of people on earth I mean Are the people who LIFT and the people who LEAN Ella Wheeler Wilcox

		Last update on 2/7/08 ©IPHC Ministries. All rights reserved