Ministry Monday: Ministering Angels

Several months ago, on a Ministry Monday, I posted about the importance of allowing yourself to be ministered to, and today I was reminded of that post (The Importance of Receiving) as I chatted with a dear friend, receiving some much needed encouragement!

After Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the Bible says that angels came to minister to Him.

 ¹¹Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.                               Matthew 4:11 AMP

Well, this morning, I felt as if I was ministered to by angels. I believe that God reached out to me today through a friend across the sea. My dear friend Lisa reminded me this morning to turn my eyes to Jesus and let all else fade into the background. She reminded me that it is okay to just be.

It is so easy to get caught up in this world's idea of a successful day, to believe that if we are not doing a handful of things, than we have wasted a day. That is how I feel constantly! The pressure to do more and more nags at me and eats away at my spirit. In fact, I feel guilty for just allowing myself to be still. This pressure does absolutely no good. It does not make me more effective. It does not make me more accomplished, and it does not bring me closer to God or to those I love and feel called to minister to. 

I am continually being reminded of Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." or as the NASB puts it:

¹⁰ “Cease striving and know that I am God; 
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

This has been a message that God has spoken to me over and over again through many different people and events. It has been a concept that for some reason, I have had trouble grasping.

In the book, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says:

God is far more interested in who we are than what we do. We are human beings, not human doings.

That statement really hit home with me when I first read it almost 10 years ago, and it is just as poignant and relevant to me today.

Today, my friend Lisa reminded me that being transformed into the image of Christ is so much more important than the things that I see around me that need to be done. Christ at work in me is the ultimate priority, and as He refines me, He will give me the wisdom and the drive to do all the things that He would have me do. It is wonderful to be reminded of that. My heart feels at peace.


Thank you God for ministering to me today through Lisa's words of encouragement!


I will leave you today with this beautiful old Irish hymn that has become the theme and mission statement for my life and ministry. It is my ultimate prayer, and I never grow tired of singing it. This version by Ascend the Hill has a beautiful chorus added to the traditional hymn.

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, put first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight
Be, Jesus, my glory My soul satisfied
Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight
Be, Jesus, my glory My soul satisfied

My Jesus, you satisfy
My Jesus, you satisfy

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, bright Heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight
Be, Jesus, my glory My soul satisfied