Striving to Produce Vs. Abiding to Bear
I wrote this email this morning to some folks I'm working with on a ministry initiative in Murfreesboro, TN. I couldn't help but sense there is something in here for a business leader who may be striving to produce and perhaps frustrated.
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Good morning brothers and sisters,
In my devotional time this morning (coming off our devotional time last night) I sensed the truth that we (those walking together in community in this new ministry) are sowing, tilling soil, fertilizing (prayer, praise, thanksgiving), assembling and sharpening the tools, and softening our hearts, in preparation, not just some videos, but for a perennial harvest of stories (written, audio, video, in-person), more stories than we could have imagined. They won't all be from your church, and they certainly won't all be in our lifetime. But we are stewards and the first leg of what will be a long relay race, if we don't grow faint or impatient. These stories and the transformational experiences of the people telling their stories will create a ripple effect of worship and witnessing for generations to come.
Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. Joel 1:3
Helping grow a crop of anything that satisfies and nourishes, takes a lot of time and work. Few people are willing to sow that time and work, that's why everyone buys apples when they want them, and few even think about planting an apple tree, let alone an orchard. Above all, I was reminded last night, we aren't producing the fruit (stories, volunteers that can harvest stories). We are bearing the fruit. And bearing can sometimes feel heavy and uncomfortable, perhaps even painful.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Where we are going is far deeper and rich than we can imagine as we help people slow down, reprioritize, break chains, heal wounds, reconcile, have hope, and know Jesus more deeply. Let us not lose sight that we are a ministry of being present in His presence, and a ministry of availability, not our abilities.
I know everyone is busy, that's not likely going to change anytime soon. But I trust that if we stay close to God, and close to each other, God will bring more people that have been praying to use their gifts and talents in due time.
In short, thank you for walking with me thus far, and I hope that each of you sense, at least in a small way that God has put us together for a reason (even if it may not make any sense!)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Peace and love,
Todd
If you're curious about what this ministry is all about head over to 315project.com