It's not ministry that's draining, it's the pouring out and giving of our energy into other's lives. It can also be the inner work of God's Spirit that is challenging us, even conflicting with our inner man. As God confronts our flawed character, while our hearts desire transformation, the inner battles can be wearing on us. There are times when God is working deeply in me, I become irritable and impatient. It's as if my flesh or sin nature is being confronted and I can resist, fight against or even neglect the inner working of the Holy Spirit.
Verses 14-15 makes sense, when you read the first 13 verses in Philippians 2. It's hard not to grumble when we are discipling our flesh to yield to Paul's exhortation in Phil. 2:1-13
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe - Phil 2:14-15
So interns, leaders, pastors - you want to shine for Jesus? Become blameless and pure? Don't whine and complain, as the Lord calls us to live the life of death to ourselves. Let the inner battles continue - the call to death to self is very real - very draining - very rewarding!
And we are only in week 2!!!! More death to come! Cheeeehooooo!
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