Going Fishing

My friend, Tami, shared with me the insights God has given her in the midst of her struggles with setting ministry priorities.

She describes her brain as one that “takes the scripture verse ‘Here I am, send me’ (Isaiah 6:8) to the extreme”–which can be both a blessing and a curse at times.   Regarding ministry opportunities, she is always thinking, planning and pondering possible events, activities, book studies, parties, etc.–any idea that will further the kingdom of God.  It is humanly impossible to pursue all of her ideas.  So where does God want her to serve NOW?  How can she best use her time and abilities?  Perhaps you can identify with her challenge–seeing so many needs and opportunities for ministry and not sure which one(s) to pursue.

After writing down all the possible ministry ideas that had been overwhelming her, Tami looked at the very full page and wondered if they were her ideas–or God’s.  How did God want to use her?

As she prayed over her page of ideas, God spoke to her heart, saying, “Let’s go fishing.”  This was a puzzling answer, considering that she has never liked fishing, hates putting worms on hooks, doesn’t have the patience to wait for a nibble, and if she were to catch something, she doesn’t even want to touch the slimy fish.  So what was the Lord saying to her with this fishing illustration?

God said to her, “When you go fishing, sometimes you catch these beautiful little fish and they are just too young to keep.  So you release them back in the water to allow them to develop more.  Maybe they will be the right size next time you catch them.   Sometimes you catch these huge fish that nearly break your line and pull you under because they are just too big for you right now, so you let those go.  But sometimes when you go fishing, you catch the perfect size fish for you, and it reels in easily.  That is the one you take home.”

“Those little fish represent those beautiful ideas and plans you have that need more prayer and time to develop before you can pursue them My way.  The huge fish represent those ideas and plans  that you are not ready for yet.  These are best put on hold until I give you more experience, more patience or just more of Me.  The perfect size fish are those ideas and plans I have prepared for you now, where you are in your walk with Me.”

Let God take you fishing.  Let Him help you sort through all those possibilities for those opportunities that are right for you.  Our God is full of creative ministry ideas, ideas which will be perfect if done His way and according to His timing.  Wait for His timing and direction, and avoid the frustration that striving in the flesh brings.  As Proverbs 19:21 says “There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless, the Lord’s counsel–that will stand.”

Five Ways to Promote Your Event

Have your ever noticed that people don’t really read their church bulletins?  That presents a challenge as you try to get the word out about upcoming women’s ministry events!  While we always try to keep an announcement in the bulletin, here are five other ideas that we have used.

• Verbal announcements (during the service, at other women’s ministry events);
• Via Internet (church website)/Social Media (Facebook announcements);
• Email blast to women in the church – At  women’s retreats and other events we have asked women to sign up who desire to receive email blasts about upcoming women’s ministry events (possibly five to six emails in a year);
• Posters (on women’s bathroom doors and mirrors, by the nursery and children’s areas)
• Personal invites

Serving to Please

The foundation of ministry is servanthood.  If you are serving with a desire to be noticed and appreciated, to gain power or achieve status…good luck.  By its nature, servanthood is an occupation that is NOT noticed.  Besides that, we won’t find joy in ministry if we are doing it in the power of the flesh because the flesh tires quickly, is easily inconvenienced and avoids discomfort and work.

The responsibility of the servant is to be faithful to his master–obedient to the master’s wishes, not distracted by those who would assign other tasks.  A servant can’t serve two masters–there will always be a conflict.  A servant may not please other members of the household, may not please some of his or her fellow servants…but if he pleases his master, he is a good servant.  As leaders in women’s ministry, pleasing our Master is our responsibility and should be our primary focus.  We need to pray that God will make clear those things that He wants us to spend our time doing.

A New Year – 2013

The time has again rolled around where we take stock of our lives and possibly set goals for the year ahead.  This may also be a good time for your women’s ministry to take stock of the prior year and prayerfully consider the new year ahead.  Since it appears that we are nearing the “last days,” our goal should be to make this year count in our women’s ministries–to reach as many women as we can, to serve our women, to minister to those who are hurting and to provide opportunities for our women to grow in the Lord through Bible study, fellowship and serving.

Begin praying for your women’s ministry and any events that you are considering for this new year. Have your leaders read an inspiring book on ministry (www.retreatinabag.net/recommended-reading/#ministry).  Take your 2013 calendar and have a prayerful brain-storming session.  Discuss your options for ministering to women this year.  Be open to new ideas and new direction.

May 2013 be a year of endless possibilities to serve your women!