To be able to serve people in the name of Jesus is an incredible blessing. Christ has given you the gifts you have received. He has given you the passion you possess. To help others encounter the grace of Jesus is thrilling. To witness the Lord transforming people, restoring marriages, and commissioning people to live as salt and light in our world is awesome. It is so awesome that it can become our god (as it has been mine at times in my “struggling, not where I should be but grateful I am not what I used to be” life).

When I first began serving in local church ministry, a pastor told me that “church is a great place to hide out and a great place to burn out.” He further explained that ministry can attract workaholics, those who live off affirmation from others for the work they do. And that ministry can also attract people who are somewhat lazy and want to hide, not doing much of anything. The key, he told me, is to work hard and serve passionately without the role becoming your source of life. It was extremely wise and helpful counsel.

All of us tend to err to one of two extremes –workaholism or laziness. Neither is beneficial and both are sinful. The only way to avoid both laziness and workaholism in ministry is to view your role as a gift and not a god.

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