Mobile Ministry Magazine

Originally posted here, this is a continued thought

For one reason or another, I manage to stay connected to the world around me without much effort. Between the morning alarms and text messages of weather, to my end of night email and sports website checks, in between I really have seemed to remain connected to the world around me. Its not a bad thing, as I have been able to be skillful in many applications because I knew what is going on in the greater context of issues.

However, being connected for me has come at some price. I have (since that original article) always seems to take the head of making sure that there is balance in my life between when I am connected (either getting an email via the Treo, or sitting in front of the computer period) and when I am connected (spending time with friends, family, and most of all in worship). This balance, while at times hard, is very much something that many who are in full or part-time ministry struggle with. And it is for that reason, I would offer some suggestions, based on what has worked for me.

First of all, don't be afraid to turn the tech off - whether that is your phones, computers, radios, cars, televisions, or even taking a day off from work. You have to spend some time away from those items and make a concerted effort to refocus yourself on the things concerning Dad's heart.

Secondly, make a scheduled and honest effort to include Dad's decsions in your daily walk - whether you take a few minutes in the morning to ask God how to deal with a person at work, or you take time in the car to listen to a sermon that you have downloaded, make sure that you are setting aside the time and prominence to hearing from Dad. Things work out better when you have His council.

Finally, surround yourself with people who are concerned with your total well being, not just what you can do for them - it sounds easy enough, have honest and honorable friendships and associations, but it is not really that simple. Putting yourself in Dad's hands also means that for those people that He sends around you, you have to be willing to pour into their lives. People that allow you to pour into their lives are people who are (IMO) concerned about you. Think of it as a shared ministry, sometimes you give, sometimes they give, all the time God gets the thanks and glory.