For anyone who has ever been a part of girls’ ministry, or any ministry, you know that I’m not exaggerating when I say there is always more to be done. More Bible studies. More spiritual conversations. More events… More. More. More.
If you are in the midst of a season of MORE, take heart sister. Find comfort in this – as I have.
In Mark 6:7-13, Jesus sent out his 12 disciples in groups of two for the work of the ministry. The disciples preached to villages, healed sick, and cast out demons. Just think for a moment of the overwhelming burden that was placed on their shoulders- this was the beginning of the burden of “more”. From here on out, there would always be another village, another town, another sick person, another demonic spirit.
Yet after I see Jesus send them out for a season of ministry, I am surprised by what happens when they come back home. Jesus’ response to his followers was not “How dare you come back already! You missed three villages and 438 sick people! Get back out there!”
Quite the opposite actually-
Mark 6:31: And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Um, hello! Anyone else take a second look? Jesus said come away and rest?!? If anyone knows what else needs to be done, it’s Jesus! Yet instead, He gave his disciples rest.
Then I hear this battle in my head:
What? Jesus do you not realize how much more I need to get done? I only ministered to half of the girls in my department!
Come away by yourself. I will minister to them. You need to rest a while.
Jesus if I don’t get all these girls texted, they won’t ever come back!
Come away by yourself. No phone or tablet. Just rest a while.
Oh… Ok Lord.
Now I can already hear the other arguments, and yes, I know that Jesus didn’t mean to rest ALL the time. Look at His life- He was ministering more than He was resting.
But even in Jesus’ command to the 12 to keep ministering, I find encouragement …
Mark 6:33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”
Now if I’m being honest- I’m EXACTLY where the disciples are at this moment. They’ve been doing ministry, and now they are resting. And they are loving it! Yet in verse 37, Jesus calls them back to their purpose… He calls them to minister again. Did the disciples feel ready to minister again? Doesn’t sound like it from verses 35-36. But that wasn’t the determining factor. The simple truth is that Jesus knew the right time. Just like Jesus knows my time. When He says “Holly, it’s time- go feed the crowd.” There’s a reason He’s drawing me out of my rest. There are miracles to be done. Lives to be changed.
If that level of commitment to ministry still seems overwhelming, be encouraged. The crowd wasn’t the only ones nourished during this second stretch of the disciples’ ministry. The disciples were fed too. It says in Mark 6:42 And they all ate and were satisfied.
So my friends, whether you need to hear “Come away. Rest a while.”
Or you need to hear “You give them something to eat… get up and go…”
Both seasons have a time and a purpose.
Both seasons will nourish you as you nourish others.
Both seasons are worth the decision to obey.
Holly Brown is a Girls Minister at Sagemont Church in Houston, Texas, and she is also a Christian speaker for girls of all ages. She graduated from Liberty University with Psychology degree and from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master’s degree in Religion. She’s a normal girl with a big laugh, an awesome husband, and an intense passion for the Lord. She writes regularly on her blog at www.everydayboldness.com, and her greatest desire is for women and girls of differing ages and backgrounds to help each other become bold for Christ.
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