"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15
I was reflecting on this scripture tonight. I have been in ministry now for a very short time but although this is the case I have learned so much about myself and about people. Ministry has brought about many distractions, many frustrations, many disappointments and many joys. Seeing people grow spiritually is one of the most exciting things (I believe) that you can experience in ministry. Seeing people wanting to make a change in their lives and allowing God to transform them in ways they couldn't imagine; this is what gets me up in the morning. People have so much potential that very often only needs to be encouraged for a soul to rise up and flourish for the Kingdom of God.
The words in Joshua 24 are words that speak of a choice. A choice to follow the one true God even when things are tough; a choice to follow the one true God in the midst of so many distractions of the flesh. Ministry is tough and often it could be so easy to throw in the towel and return to a working role that I was extremely good at. The reality is however, that that is not what God has called me to do. Each of us have to make a choice in life. Do we follow God? Carrying our cross every day; often putting aside our own agenda and desires in order to serve Him; or do we get distracted by the other things that try to draw our attention? As Christ followers we have to remember that following God is not easy. We can't pick and choose when we follow Christ and when we don't. Sometimes it means saying no to what "We" want in order to follow Christ. This is not an easy choice but choosing to give our all for Christ brings so much joy and blessing.
As for me and my house we choose to serve the Lord no matter what. This is not for everyone I know. Even in the tough and frustrating times God constantly proves that He is faithful. When we choose to follow Christ and carry our crosses daily God often gives us the desires of our heart also.
I pray for those who have chosen to follow Christ that we will never be luke warm. I pray that we will never get tired of sharing the gospel, living the gospel and reaching out to the lost. I pray also that we will never ever put our own agenda's ahead of God's. Who do I serve? As for me and my house we serve the Lord.
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." - Jesus
Revelation 3:15-16
