The Weight of Responsibility
Please respond to the following prompt:
The call to ministry lays a heavy burden on us. We are responsible not only for ourselves (which in itself is more than we can handle), we are also responsible for our family, our church family, or behavior, our community, and the whosoever… In addition to those truths, we are responsible to others, and to God. Sometimes these responsibilities can feel overwhelming to the extent that we desire to throw them off. But the truth is that when God calls us He enables us to “respond” making us respons-able. So then, when we willingly accepted the call to the ministry we also accepted the responsibility that comes along with it. When the weight of responsibility causes us to feel overwhelmed, we need only to remember, that those whom God calls He also equips. The best way to deal with responsibility is to bear up under it in obedience.
What are your thoughts in response to the above statement
Yes, I agree it is a heavy burden. It is heavier than I could have ever imagine. Looking from the outside one would believe that ministry is pleasant, beautiful and fulfilling. That it is a continuous expression of God’s love shining through a cloudy day. I wholeheartedly agree with that. But yet there are times when it becomes laborious, tiresome, drudgery, heartache, disappointment and a grind. I have read somewhere that ministry can be a burden but also an anchor.
For me personally the key to riding this ministry life is my obedience. More disobedient I am, the more it becomes a drudgery, headache or disappointment. But when I fall in align with God whether by my own doing or that of being prodded by the Holy Spirit. It becomes harmony, like an orchestra playing a lovely melody – and then there is peace that surpasses all understanding. Not that the work has stopped or even gotten easier but I have released it to the Most High God to drive and I have become a passenger moving as He instructs and directs me.
Hello Leaders,
As we are called, we must bear up under the responsibility of love. Not Just any old love but Godly love. We must remain in stewardship over what God has placed before us and in our care.
When we heed the call to ministry , the responsibility to the word of God is far reaching. Our responsibility fall in the order of God , then family, the church and then community. God expects us uphold His commandments, yet we have a choice
We have the power of life and death in the tongue and it is our responsibility speak that life.
When it seems to become overwhelming, we need to focus our attention on God.
As a community leader, Minister in Training, a trustee, a mother, a wife, a neighbor, a friend, and more, it is a heavy weight. There are times, i just want to throw in the towels. I feel like, there are not enough time of the day to do all the things i had planned to do. And that’s when i am with a heavy weight. It’s at that moment that i have to refocus my thoughts. I have to be still and rethink what i was thinking or doing that does not line up with the word of God or line up with the calling over my life. I have to purpose to keep my eyes on Jesus. When i do, i am reminded of how far i have came. I am reminded on how He was always with me and brought me through so many things. I am reminded that everything i do must be of God. It’s at my weakest moment, He is strong in me to give me strength to keep moving toward. To keep pressing toward the high calling over my life. That it’s not about me but about Him.
Reading the word, listening to gospel music strengthens me. He is reminding me of how much He loves me. That i am to cast ALL of my cares unto Him because He cares for me. He knows all things.
Also, i must ask God first of everything. If i don’t ask, i will do something He did not call me to do. Then i have put myself in a situation that will cause me to be overwhelmed. When i am overwhelmed, i will do things half hearted. Not to the fullest extent of what He has called me to do.
I must listen and know that He is giving me specific instructions. There will be a peace knowing He will and is equipping me to do whatever He is calling me to do. Applying true into every situation. He will give me strength to do what He is calling me to do. For when i am weak, He is made strong. I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me. I must be in His will.
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
I am reminded that it’s okay to say i need help and that i am going through. That i am in need of prayer. I am not super woman. It’s okay for me to say “no!” It’s okay for me to express truly of how i feel to others. It’s okay to feel the weight of the responsibilities so God can bring me back to Him. Trusting Him to do what He does best!
When I got saved I was happy because I was told that God will fight my battles. I was happy because I felt that when situations, circumstances, or just trouble hit my front door wow I am not alone. I know according to the word that is true. I have so much some days that I feel like getting in my car and going in the opposite direction of home and work. I know it sounds horrible but it is true. Recently, at Jeremiah Hour I prayed in my prayer God I feel so alone sometimes. Pastor Sal told me Donzella you are not alone. So I lengthen my devotional and prayer time in the mornings and praying much more during the day. This helps me to be victorious with my cares and responsibilities that I face each day.
My thoughts on the weight of Responsibility of my call does feel extremely heavy. As I am called to do the Will of My Father, I take it seriously. This is not nothing to take lightly or hazardous. God called be by name to be a living epistle and show this dying world that Jesus is Alive. Since He is Alive we have Hope. I daily seek The Lord to ask my for daily assignment that I am doing what I am called to do not doing what I think I should do or what seems easier if I do as he or she does. I have flaws and I do a mirror check often to make sure that I do not get a Big Head. As God moves in my life it’s to give Him Glory. My deepest prayer is for me not to complain or step away. My Grandmother would say that we all have a cross to bear. Jesus carried His cross though the streets of Jerusalem and up the hill to Golgotga. The cross on Jesus’s back weighed a ton, all of this in front of a largely mocking crowd after being flogged. Jesus fell a couple of times on the way to Golgota but He got back up. So this is what Yolanda will do also. Get back up, obey My Father no matter the weight!
Deacon Yolanda,
Thank you for pointing us to Jesus and His poignant example of the weight of ministry. May we all be as set on doing the Father’s will and may we all get back up each time we fall.
The call to ministry is a heavy burden and at times I feel like its unbearable. At times it feels like I have to carry the weight on my shoulders. It also feels like a juggling act between church, family, and work. Their are times when I think that it would just be easy to just walk away from it all and just seclude myself from the world but then God reminds me that He has called me and will equip me for it all. Every day I wake up and I have to say Yes to the Lord.
Leaders,
I agree that “the call to ministry lays a heavy burden on us…and the best way to deal with responsibility is to bear up under it in obedience.” In the book of Isaiah 1:19 (NIV) states, “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.” Our obedience allows us to correctly respond to what we have willing accepted. And because of our obedience sometimes the weight may seem heavier than others but our obedience response should allow us to receive the blessings. The blessing is waiting on our reasonable response. The response can be simple, but the process is work – and the work can be overwhelming. But we have a comforter, a provider that will lead us, guide us, and give us wisdom. Wisdom gives us the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding. And my ability to judge and/or be obedient starts with how is my position as well as how is my heart. Am I serving out of convenience or serving with commitment? I seek to be committed to God by daily checking my motives/my heart to be fully and completely used according to God’s perfect will (Romans 12:2). I seek to be perfect; I seek perfection in walking out my calling. And because of my desire to seek God’s Word there will be trials and tests, but we can overcome. We can overcome by His word. In Psalm 17:3 (NKJV), “You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” And after we have completed the test not allow God to lead us. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV), “5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Because of His Grace,
Richard
So in order for me to be responsible and obedient to God and his people. I simply tell myself the truth….and that truth is I can’t do anything by myself without God. He provides EVERYTHING I need. When I can’t and there is nothing left of me I ask, scream and holler and cry out for his help, his thoughts and most definitely his ways and words. Once I submit, honesty and humbly say I can’t he appears and does for me what I can’t. Simply put I can’t he can so I let him. So many times during my day he shows up in ways that literally blow my mind and I know without a doubt it’s him working through me. So for me surrendering is the key when the weight of responsibility is heavy on me.
Ministry struggles
Being a Christian is hard, but Being in leadership is even more difficult. While thinking of this question I could only see being on a sports team. While being on the sports team you Identify with the colors, coaches, and other players. You are not just a fan but you are part of a family. When you actually play and you are in the game, now you have to use your skills, wisdom, and talent to help the team win. As leaders we are no longer sitting on the bench we are active participants in this battle against the enemy team. Just because you have been trained, delivered, and called does not mean it is easy to play against the other team.
Being in Ministry gives you a different perspective on what is important. Your priorities are reordered and difficult decisions become easier. Even when your priorities are made in the Godly order, your flesh still wants to rise up against you. This is when I personally struggle with issues. I want to just do me sometimes. Not have to worry about sacrificing movie time to read. Or, have to go all the events when I have so much work to do. Even when I have these feelings I always keep the faith that God will work it out. It is in those times when I really allow my faith and trust in God to relieve the stress I have to get things done.
MIT Marvin when you wrote about “as leaders we are no longer sitting on the bench”. My question to you is could as leaders just like on a sports team be sitting on the bench and still be an active member of the team? As you wrote, “in sports you identify with the colors, coaches, and other players”, but every player that is on the team doesn’t always play or start at the same time. Do you believe that they can still be an active member of the team by supporting in other ways such as cheering, motivating or by providing wise guidance and instruction.
Great question, and yes I do believe that. I can relate that to being the vet on the team that has the playoff experience. They are extremely important to any team that has hopes of winning. Most teams that win big have at least one or two players who show the next group of players lessons or skills that players could only get from experience. Same could be said for leaders who are there to cheer you on or provide you with wise guidance. These leaders can help with the proper application of knowledge. Which in turn can help many leaders grow and mature into the gifting a God has called them to.