All things to all people

Robert Allan February 11, 2021 0 1

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1 Corinthians 9: 20-23 (GNT)

20 While working with the Jews, I live like a Jew in order to win them; and even though I myself am not subject to the Law of Moses, I live as though I were when working with those who are, in order to win them. 21 In the same way, when working with Gentiles, I live like a Gentile, outside the Jewish Law, in order to win Gentiles. This does not mean that I don't obey God's law; I am really under Christ's law. 22 Among the weak in faith I become weak like one of them, in order to win them. So I become all things to all people, that I may save some of them by whatever means are possible.

23 All this I do for the gospel's sake, in order to share in its blessings. 

Ministry has had to adapt. Worship, visiting, meetings, planning, and more have been affected by the pandemic. Those who are not particularly tech-savvy have learned. We have seen the value of phone calls and Zoom calls. We have had a time to reflect on what life is all about for us, what is important and what is not, and that goes for Church and faith life too. New ideas have abounded and some have been very creative, some have clamoured for a return of the former ways, and in the midst of it all I have learned what I have, in my heart, always known, that in ministry you cannot please all of the people all of the time. So hats off to the apostle Paul as he sought to “become all things to all people”, it is not my most favourite model for ministry. I do see what he is trying to do and I applaud him for winning people for Jesus. Instead, I am who I am, with some good points and more than a few not-so-good points. (I continue to work on them all!)

I realised a long time ago that I cannot do everything, still true during these pandemic days. At the end of every week there is still more in the “in-tray” but as long as we can say hand-on-heart that we have put in a good shift then that’s all any of us can do and all that God expects of us. He has given us life in all its fullness and we must all make time to enjoy this gift of life we have been given. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

PRAYER:

Lord God, help us to play to our strengths and yet still learn and adapt and embrace the new. Help us to encourage the talents and gifts of others that together we may creatively enjoy the journey of faith together. Forgive us when we have stretched ourselves too thin and driven ourselves to the place of exhaustion, and help us to know when we have to let go and simply leave matters in your more than capable hands. Help us to carve out time each day to simply enjoy your gift of life! Amen.