DRIVEN TO PERFORM - Part 1

Are you driven to perform?


Many leaders are. We seem to be constantly striving to achieve more. It appears to be an internal drive within most of us. Whether you are in vocational, bi-vocational, or workplace ministry, there is a natural tendency to be overly driven to produce results.


By the way, if by chance you don’t think any of these preceding three categories describe you, please consider this scripture:


“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV)


ALL OF US ARE IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY
We are all called to full-time ministry, wherever we are and whatever we are doing. If you are reading this, you are working. And, our work, in and of itself, brings glory and honor to Christ. From changing a diaper to transforming a country, whatever it is that we are doing is able to bring honor and glory to Christ. It depends on our attitude and how we approach the work.


ALL OF US ARE LEADERS
Likewise, if you don’t think you are a leader, please think again. The word “leader” is often misunderstood, and we conjure up pictures in our minds of larger-than-life leaders, compare ourselves to that image, and quickly dismiss the idea that we are one. Not so fast. Try this idea on for size. The synonym for the word leader is “influencer.” And everyone has the capacity to influence others in their own way. Some influence (lead) our youth, some influence adolescents, and others influence adults. Some have small circles of influence, and others have very large ones. It matters not the size. God cares equally about our work, and He cares most about our attitude toward it.


ALL OF US WANT TO PERFORM
We all want to perform to some degree. The question is: “Who are we performing for?” May our answer be Jesus. May we realize that he cares more about our heart and attitude toward work than he does about what we actually produce.


CONCLUSION
All of us are called to full-time ministry. There is no one exempt from this commission by Christ. Likewise, all of us are leaders in our own sphere of influence, and as Christ-followers, we want to perform good works for the glory of Christ.


The key question to answer is this: “Am I performing for the Lord?” Am I trying to please Christ, or man? And, how can I move more toward pleasing Christ, and be less concerned about pleasing myself or others?


Until we meet again tomorrow, I remain your aspiring servant, Daniel M.
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January 29, 2024
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ.