A Blessing Not A Burden
At the age of 19, I found myself interning at a very well known television ministry in Charlotte, NC. It was such an amazing opportunity and certainly the way I got there had God's fingerprints all over it. So I knew I was supposed to be there. Not a doubt in my mind. I learned so much during that year and worked with so many incredibly gifted and well connected people. When I think back on it, every day truly was the stuff of dreams!
Even though there were so many highlights for me I found myself struggling about halfway through the year. I had built up certain expectations that just were not being met. Disappointment began to set in and then it seemed that even the things I enjoyed doing were not enjoyable any more.
I remember calling my Dad - not really for advice. I just wanted to vent. He listened patiently waiting for me to finish. And I will never forget his advice. He said, "Denise, in every ministry there will be things we don't particularly like. Every ministry is made up of people. And people don't always do what we think they should do. Here's the question YOU have to answer. Do you want to be a blessing...or a burden? If you can be a blessing to them, then you should stay. If you are only going to be a burden, by picking apart all the things you don't like, then you should pray about what's next."
That was a turning point for me that year and such an important lesson to learn. We choose how we see things. And how we see things determines how we serve. Paul shared similar advice with the Ephesians in chapter 4:1-3 (CEV). "As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be His own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace."
We are called to serve. It's so important for us to honor God's Word while we are serving ... to be a blessing...not a burden.
Read more devotions written by Denise Harper at Treasured Inside
https://deniseharper.blog
