Word@Work Phil24 - Philippians 2:23-24
Published: Tue, 10/27/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
RELATIONAL MINISTRY
Phil. 2:23-24 I hope, therefore, to send him [Timothy] as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. (NIV)
Some churches mimic corporate business in the scale and complexity of their programmes. And it may be necessary. Larger or more diverse ministry settings demand a higher degree of organisation in order to get the right people in the right place at the right time. But there is a dangerous illusion which accompanies that style. Bigger and busier does not always mean more blessing. God's blessing is a mark of His relationship with us, and often comes to us through people rather than projects per se - brothers and sisters who He sends in Christ's Name. Without them, there is no church; or at least no organic church where people are joined to each other, and to the Lord, by love.
Paul longed to send Timothy back to the church in Greece at the right time. He had an inner confidence, from the Holy Spirit, that he would soon be released from prison, but Paul did not want to presume the course of his future. He wanted to see what the Lord would do, and how He would lead. Then, Timothy would have really encouraging news for the Philippians, which would strengthen them to keep steadfast as followers of Jesus. How wise! And how timely a reminder this might be in our busy world ... to stop, reflect and wait and see how God will move His hand. Faith is essential, but rash presumption owes more to the inner urges of fleshly impulses, than to the quiet voice of the Spirit.
The message from Gethsemane was "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Mark 14:38). Alas the disciples failed; but we do not have to copy them. The steadying art of watching how God is at work in His world should give a little humility to even the most impetuous Christian; and praying will prevent us from rushing ahead so that we miss God's sovereign appointments while we substitute our own futile ideas. This is not just a ministry matter, for those who 'work for the church'. This is a Christian lifestyle issue; and may be as critical in the hospital and hotel as in the mission office. It is one of the great spiritual disciplines, without which much energy will be spent uselessly, and many hours wasted without any benefit. The time to start is today, and the place to start is where you are right now. Stop, watch and pray: if you have a workplace fellowship - share this and perhaps agree to be accountable to each other as well as to the Lord, so that you will keep each other up to the mark that Paul had made his starting point for every decision.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Please forgive my habit of deciding what is the right time and the appropriate relationship, without stopping to watch what You are doing, or to pray. Help me to take even a little time today to watch what is happening and to commit it to You, before I rush off to futility or disaster. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Some churches mimic corporate business in the scale and complexity of their programmes. And it may be necessary. Larger or more diverse ministry settings demand a higher degree of organisation in order to get the right people in the right place at the right time. But there is a dangerous illusion which accompanies that style. Bigger and busier does not always mean more blessing. God's blessing is a mark of His relationship with us, and often comes to us through people rather than projects per se - brothers and sisters who He sends in Christ's Name. Without them, there is no church; or at least no organic church where people are joined to each other, and to the Lord, by love.
Paul longed to send Timothy back to the church in Greece at the right time. He had an inner confidence, from the Holy Spirit, that he would soon be released from prison, but Paul did not want to presume the course of his future. He wanted to see what the Lord would do, and how He would lead. Then, Timothy would have really encouraging news for the Philippians, which would strengthen them to keep steadfast as followers of Jesus. How wise! And how timely a reminder this might be in our busy world ... to stop, reflect and wait and see how God will move His hand. Faith is essential, but rash presumption owes more to the inner urges of fleshly impulses, than to the quiet voice of the Spirit.
The message from Gethsemane was "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Mark 14:38). Alas the disciples failed; but we do not have to copy them. The steadying art of watching how God is at work in His world should give a little humility to even the most impetuous Christian; and praying will prevent us from rushing ahead so that we miss God's sovereign appointments while we substitute our own futile ideas. This is not just a ministry matter, for those who 'work for the church'. This is a Christian lifestyle issue; and may be as critical in the hospital and hotel as in the mission office. It is one of the great spiritual disciplines, without which much energy will be spent uselessly, and many hours wasted without any benefit. The time to start is today, and the place to start is where you are right now. Stop, watch and pray: if you have a workplace fellowship - share this and perhaps agree to be accountable to each other as well as to the Lord, so that you will keep each other up to the mark that Paul had made his starting point for every decision.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Please forgive my habit of deciding what is the right time and the appropriate relationship, without stopping to watch what You are doing, or to pray. Help me to take even a little time today to watch what is happening and to commit it to You, before I rush off to futility or disaster. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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