Have you ever been driving when you were falling asleep at the wheel?

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We’ve all been there where we’re straining to keep our eyes open even while hurling down the highway at 70 mph. Moving fast, yet not doing well personally. 

I hate to say it, but a couple of years ago I found myself in this place in ministry. I was driving the car at full speed, but I wasn’t well on the inside. 

It was so strange because ministry was thriving for us. We were busier than we’d ever been, and it was exactly what we had asked God for. From all outward signs, I should’ve been doing really well.

But I wasn’t. I was waking up in the mornings to just go through the motions of what I had to do for the day. I was barely keeping my head above water. It wasn’t just that I was busy. I was doing it with the wrong motives. I was addicted to the approval of other leaders. I didn’t know it, but I was fueled by internal shame talk. 

Spiritually, I was slowly dying. I needed a personal revival.

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As God brought me to a place where He started to get a hold of me in a new way, the Word started shouting to me about the importance of being whole and well. See how the Apostle John put it:

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”

‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As we’ve had the opportunity to work with leaders all over the US and Canada the past eight years, I’ve met so many people just like me. So many leaders with hearts to serve Jesus and build his Church, but who got sick somewhere along the way. 

I’m convicted that ministry doesn’t have to be like this. For those of us who have given our lives to serve Jesus in ministry, I believe we can thrive personally even as our ministries thrive around us. 

Let me make a bold statement:

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God is more interested in who you are becoming than what you are doing. 

Jesus didn’t come to give us big ministries or platforms. He came to rescue and save the lost. He came to bring dead things to new life. And that includes those of us in full time ministry. Make no mistake. He desires to use each of us in significant ways to build His Church and advance His Kingdom. But first and foremost, He came so you and I could be whole and free.

My question for you today:

How are you doing spiritually?

If something in your spiritual life is dead or dormant, I believe Jesus wants to come and lead you to a personal revival. This is a vital work that we must allow Jesus to do if we’re going to lead people in ministry and make our mark for the Kingdom of God. 

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be sharing some thoughts right here in this space to help you start the New Year strong and meet Jesus all over again. My prayer for you is that as you seek Jesus in new and fresh ways, that you will find Him. May 2020 be marked in your life as a year when you experienced a personal revival.