Some days it pays for me to examine myself.
1 Corinthians 11:31
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
The verse is used more in the context of sin and partaking of the Lord’s table, but we’ll use it in a devotional rather than doctrinal sense here. If we inspect our own fruit ‘judge ourselves,’ and taking a hard look at our own fruitfulness then we won’t need God to do it for us. We’ll come to Him on our own and ask Him to show us how we can fulfill His will for us.
Sometimes we’re unfruitful because we’re taking on work that does not belong to us. We’re not all called to do the same things. Each member of the body has it’s own purpose. If we try to fulfill someone else’s purpose we’ll keep pounding our head against a brick wall.
1 Corinthians 12:14-17
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
We are not all called to the same office. Some are called to teach, some to preach, some to sing, some to play instruments, some to clean, some to write, some to be missionaries on foreign soil and some to be missionaries at home. There are many tasks to be accomplished in the body of Christ. We should prayerfully consider any task we choose to take up.
Many of us are involved in multiple ministries. I’m in the music ministry, I teach teenagers and I write. You may be involved in multiple ministries too. What I’m asking you to do today is to examine your ministries as I am doing. I’m asking God to show me where my time is best utilized. What He has for my top priorities. And how to best accomplish those priorities. Our God is faithful. He will help us prioritize. He will help us to acknowledge that sometimes we need to move our families and our health up on the list. He will show us when we should put down our smart phones and enjoy the sunny day with our loved ones. He will remind us that everything we do is part of our testimony. If we stare at a screen instead of staring into the eyes of our spouse, then we are testifying that our Facebook feed or Twitter posts are the priority. I’m not discounting the importance of online ministries. They are important. They reach people that other ministries cannot. That may be our primary ministry. They may be the way for us to share Bible verses or teachings. BUT I do ask you to examine whether it the priority that God set for you today? Did you ask Him?
I don’t always remember to ask. Most days I start the day asking for direction, but as I move into my day, I start to re-prioritize and do my own thing. Today I’m asking for more direction. I’m asking the Lord to show me where my time is best spent. Please join me.
This wasn’t an easy post to write. It didn’t flow smoothly and easily like some do. It stings to realize that sometimes I take on responsibilities outside of what I believe God wants me to do. Once in a while, I remember to self-examine and ask for God’s help to see if I am spending my time wisely.
Please share your thoughts on the subject.
(All verse references are taken from the Authorized Version of the Bible, commonly referred to as the King James Version.)
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