PLAY

Psalm 137:3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. (KJV)

PLAY

Pray…

Listen…

Adjust…

Yield…

How often have we heard, “Make your passion your profession and you will never have to work a day in your life?”

To some extent the statement is true, but it’s not all fun and games. We can be overrun by stress, overwhelmed by demands, and outraged by injustice. Ministry should be the passion of every Christian, especially for those of us in professional positions as servants of God.

How can we turn the work of the ministry into PLAY?

Most people outside the church assume there is really nothing to preparing a sermon, comforting the grieving, visiting the sick, or motivating God’s people to activate their faith. The reality is it’s not easy – It’s impossible! Prayer is the first step, the last step and every step in between. Prayer is not the presentation of our desires to God. Prayer is seeking His desire in EVERYTHING we do.

   

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. (KJV)

Mastering the art of prayer requires speaking and listening. As a teacher in a classroom, I have fought the temptation to tell students, “God gave you two ears, but only one mouth because He wants you to listen twice as much as you speak.” That thought is NOT original but it holds a deep truth. I have used it in Sunday school classrooms and one or two counseling sessions.  When we stop telling God what we are going to do, and stop telling Him what He should do, He will speak to us. He will direct our paths.

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (NIV)

Oops…there was a huge typo in that last line. It is a sad state of affairs when the line reads, “We will direct our paths.” However, that seems to be the essence of HUMAN nature. We must adjust our will to follow His plan.

Hebrews 3:15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (NIV)

There are only four sweetly simple phases to turn ALL ministry into child’s PLAY. Pray seeking God’s will and direction. Listen to His plan. Adjust our will to match His desire. Yield ALL the glory for the outcome to HIM. It can be that easy. Just PLAY.

Mark 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. (KJV)