PERSONAL FOCUS

You are what you believe yourself to be. This statement is especially meaningful in the development of the image of God in you. I would encourage you to get in touch with the image of the God in your lives which houses the blueprint for your purpose. There is no discovery in the external world more valuable than the discovery within you. Once you discover who you are, and accept what God has manufactured you to be, the path becomes clear. The ministry tends to make you focus on all the on-going needs of others while at times neglecting your own needs. All public positions, viewed and assessed by the masses, tend to bring significant pressures and challenges. This requires you, as a minister, to prepare yourselves emotionally, physically, spiritually and psychologically for the demands of ministry. Remember, the ministry is not something you can do of yourself or by yourself. Your help still comes from the Lord. All the management and leadership tools to help you organize your responsibilities will be advantageous when considering the work of ministry. There are things in ministry preparation that are inspired and there are things that become the structural responsibility of good organization. There are resources to assist in organization however, there are unique gifts that are derived from your relationship with the Lord. Taking care of you is easier said than done. It becomes increasingly difficult to shift the focus from what you have been called to do and who you are called to be. It makes no sense to spend all of your time and energy preparing, feeding and serving others, while you go hungry. Time must be set aside to ensure that your needs are met and that the work of the ministry is being handled, as God would have it to be. Whenever you begin to think that things cannot be achieved without you, is the time you begin to believe that without you, God will not bring His purpose to pass.