“…See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord” Colosians 4:17
This verse seemed to pop off the page as I neared the end of Paul’s letter to the Colossian brethren. This was the second last line in this epistle, and although the words were written as a note to Archippus, we can apply this to our own walk with Christ. Our ministry may seem different from those around us, but as Paul outlined gifts and ministries in 1 Corinthians 12, he took care to note in verse 11 that “all these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one just as He determines.” Each ministry is important to the building of the Kingdom of God.
We do not always understand why God asks us to do what He asks us to do, but when we are sold out fully to Him, we can walk where He leads us knowing full well that we are not walking alone. Sometimes fulfilling our ministries become more challenging than we anticipated, but if God has given us a ministry, then He will give us what we need to accomplish it. Some days may be easier to navigate than others, but thankfully for us, we serve a God who never changes.
Others may look at us and wonder why we do what we do. Sometimes the questions we are asked may cause us hurt and discomfort even as we try to explain why we remain in our positions, but when we know that we are doing the will of the Lord, we find renewed strength in knowing that we are pleasing Him. Our focus should be to do His will and only His will as we look forward to hearing Him say “well done.”
Keep working towards completing the ministry He has given you. It will be more than worth it.
Inventory/Introspection: What has God asked me to do? What is trying to prevent me from carrying out the ministry that He has given to me?
Personal Application: If I truly believe that God equips those He has called, then I am confident that He will give me what I need to accomplish what He has given me to do.
Father, You are amazing! We are so thankful for the fact that You chose to involve us in leading others to You, and we are grateful for the part You allow us to play. May Your name be glorified as we work on fulfilling what You have called us to do. We fully expect that obstacles and trials will come, but we are also fully confident that You are able to complete what You have started in us (Philippians 1:6).
On our own we are bound to fail, but in You we are ‘more than conquerors!’ (Romans 8:37). May we trust You enough to seek You when we feel we cannot fulfil what You have asked us to do.
Give us the right words to respond to those who may ridicule or question the paths we have chosen to follow with You, knowing that ‘our labour is not in vain.’ It is our desire to do only what glorifies You.
Amen.
Blessings,
ann
Toni R
(c)
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Desiray
Completing the ministry God gives us is a life time journey. Often times we become weary and want to stop but that is when the Lord speaks to us and reminds us what is at stake. Being a Christian is not easy it takes work and longsuffering. We must endure to the end and if we don’t give up we will reap a harvest for the Kingdom of God.
Ann
“Completing the ministry God gives us is a life time journey.”
Amen Minister Desiray
Sometimes, for whatever reason, we lose sight of what we need to do. I’m not sure why only this one line was sent to Archippus, but we can use that line as a reminder to ourselves to keep on the path. His grace is enough!
May God bless you as you fulfil the ministry He has given you.
For His glory,
ann
Larry Who
“…We do not always understand why God asks us to do what He asks us to do,..”
I believe God is a multi-level God. So what little we know about what God has called us to do is only a drop in the ocean of what God is doing in us.
Thanks and God bless you.
Ann
🙂
I’ve never thought of it this way!
Thanks for adding, Larry.
Blessings
ann
Caddo Veil
Hi Ann–what a wonderfully encouraging message of confirmation today! I usually think I’m just bumbling along–however, I’m secure that I’m “found In Him”, tightly connected, regardless that I don’t have the blueprint in front of me. What I do have, is sufficient faith and trust that if I just show up everyday, He does too. Some days I’ll make mistakes, miss the mark–but He is already prepared for this, and so We continue. My gift and ministry seem small, to me–when I compare myself to others–but I’ve heard that “important machinery” cannot operate if even a tiny screw or bolt or washer is missing. Maybe I’m just a little washer! God bless you so abundantly–love, sis Caddo
Ann
Sister Caddo!
You have such a way with words 😉
“My gift and ministry seem small, to me–when I compare myself to others–but I’ve heard that “important machinery” cannot operate if even a tiny screw or bolt or washer is missing. Maybe I’m just a little washer!”
When I combine your comment with Larry’s, I think of how He is able to use our surrendered lives, as tiny and insignificant as we are, to bless our lives to the glory of His name.
May His peace wrap around and cover you as you do the ‘little’ He has called you to do!
Blessings
ann
Debbie
Thank you, dear Ann full of grace and song! Loved this and love the comments too! I have been reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom . . .and thinking about how they never considered ‘not’ doing what they did. She completed the ministry, for sure. Your post not only helps me to keep doing what I’m called to do, but gives me more understanding for those who are called differently than I. They can no more ‘not’ do what they do as I can ‘not’ either.
God bless you as you keep following His desire for you!
Ann
Oh dearest Deb
I wasn’t thinking of how we look at others’ ministries. Thank you for shedding light thither!
May His grace and peace surround you as you continue in Him. Onward to completing the ministry!
Blessings
ann
meetingintheclouds
Ann, this time it is me who is ‘going back and forth’ reading and re-reading and meditating on this.
When I had to give up my years of full time, very hectic, very demanding voluntary work in children’s ministry, I suffered depression. My life was suddenly empty. I felt my work was not completed and I felt I was deserting my co-worker. God undertook and gave me new ministries suited to my changed circumstances.
I now consider my work here one of the ministries He gave me, but I must admit that sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I get so far behind and often feel like giving up, but when that happens, I find HE usually causes something that shows me I am to continue.
I firmly believe that God’s call comes with His enabling.
I also believe that God’s call will attract opposition from the devil and his forces. Thankfully, he is a defeated foe. When we submit to God and resist the devil, the devil will flee.
I praise God that HE is faithful and that HE keeps me faithful.
Ann
God bless you much, Dear Angela 🙂
You have added so much for me to think about!
” Sometimes I get so far behind and often feel like giving up, but when that happens, I find HE usually causes something that shows me I am to continue.
I firmly believe that God’s call comes with His enabling.”
As a little girl, I heard my mother sing over and over “The Lord will make a way somehow.” I didn’t know what she meant until I saw Him work in me. I don’t always feel ready or capable, but like you, when I allow Him, He gives me what I need to accomplish His design.
May our Faithful Father continue to give you health and strength to share what He lays on your heart.
Blessings
ann