Successful Failure

You know the world has a funny way of creating its own belief system and then trying to make it God's word. As believers, we have to be cautious of getting in front of God's will for the sake of our own selfish, vain desires. When considering relationships, I've noticed man has found a way to infuse a corporate-business mindset into the life of a Christian. For example, in the business world, you bring certain talents together to create this mega-business that reaps the continued success of its combined talents. Business' or employees that don't meet your expectations are cut and replaced before they have time to mature in their position. When business are finacially insolvent, they create new ways to survive, lay people off, or sometimes look for someone else to purchase their debts and problems through mergers and acquisitions. When they've found their way into "success," the world spolights them as the premier model of what being successful in business looks like. We have somehow allowed this man-made model of success replace the model or God-given success in life and in relationships. We start on our own. Some look for another mate to bail them out of financial problems, replace the last one that didn't meet their vain expectations, hopefully moving toward's what would be considered the "ultimate merger," in the form of marriage. Then, when these two have combined their forces to gain face in the public eye or specifically in the church, somehow they are looked at as the model Christian couple - living a life that is a minstry to others, for God. My friends, this is not what ministry is about. The ministry of a couple starts with the ministry of an individual. The ministry of an individual comes from God. If you seek the kindgom of God and its righteousness first, Ephesians 4:11-13 says that HE gives gifts and callings; " For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, [and] for the edifying of the boidy of Christ...." HE ordains the path! HE gives the vision! HE gives the expectation of your talents and gifts, NOT YOU! To live in the spirite is to die in the flesh. And to take it upon yourself to clain God's calling without God's ordination, is to take His name in vain. Be careful not to allow man-made practices compel your relationship to what the flesh says is right versus what God already said is His will. If you truly want to be a ministry to others collectively or individually, concentrate your energy on living a life of righteousness in private and in public. If you lift God up in front of others, God will draw them and they will be compelled to live a life that reflects the righteousness your relationship shows. Be Blessed~