Loving God First
It is difficult sometimes when ministry becomes a full time occupation to put ministry second. It is after all the will, and command of God that we seek to save the lost. But there are so many things that pass me by, that I miss, that I mess up, or that I wish I did better. It is so easy for me to attempt to make up for my mistakes by doing more, or trying to make up on my own. But in my attempts to do better I make more mistakes, and this cycle could continue on forever. On my own, ministry fails, and becomes a heavy burden, and many times it even pulls me away from my relationship with God. This is a struggle that I have been especially wrestling with lately.
So as I was going through John 14, a few verses really stood out and summarize what God has been teaching me these past few months. The first was John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” It’s so easy to place burdens ourselves, to try to commit to doing better, to have strength and courage on our own. But this isn’t the way we are suppose to be living. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus responded in Mat 22:37-40
‘And He said to him,
“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART,
AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.
“This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it,
YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.
On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”‘
If we just follow that one command, loving God, everything else that we should be doing, how we should be living, a heart for lost students on campus, it will all follow. And so our call to share the Gospel with the lost, to feed the hungry and protect the weak become not burdens, but our joy, as we come closer to God and allow His love to change us. As Jesus tells us in Mat 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
It is still so amazing to me that Jesus wouldn’t just come and save me from all my sin, but would then care about the comfort of my soul. I have been so thankful for this renewed perspective that God has been teaching me recently. That as He calls me out to worship and serve Him, it is with joy and praise, returning the love that He first showed me. Knowing that He is doing the work through me, and it is my privilege to be a part of His plan.
I hope this gives some of you encouragement as it has me, in loving God first, and through love following his commandments and design for your life.
Sedric Mart, First year intern
