I have learned that spiritual growth is a choice and is necessary to deepen our relationship with God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It is making Jesus the Lord of our lives and submitting to the guiding power and blessings of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual growth is not the same thing as being religious. Religion comes from regimens of rigid traditions, ceremonies, and mandated deeds; originating in man-made rules or religious laws where obedience is often guilt-motivated. Godly spirituality does not come from what man has dictated, but from true and earnest desires from the heart to become righteous and more Christ-like in our everyday lives.
The New Testament says that Christians are commanded to serve one another. None of the words for service or ministry is restricted to the ordained clergy. Whether we are ordained or not, we are all called to serve the Lord by serving one another. We should minister to one another’s needs. God has given each of us a ministry. God has given us abilities so that we will use them to serve others. It has been said that the Lord doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. God used men and women with similar doubts to change the course of history. Moses didn’t think he was a leader or speaker, but God worked through Moses to bring Israel out of slavery. David was the youngest and therefore most insignificant of all his brothers, but God worked through David to defeat a giant and eventually made him a king. Paul used to kill Christians before he met Jesus, but he went on to become one of the most highly regarded and prolific writers/church planters in history. God doesn’t just want to work through you, He wants to work in you.
God has called me to prison ministry and I serve in two related ministries: Kairos Prison Ministry and House of Hope. Kairos is a Christian faith based ministry which addresses the spiritual needs of incarcerated men and women by sharing the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. House of Hope is a non-profit residential halfway house located in Gainesville, Florida. Their goal is to help men and women obtain a fresh start in life by learning the basics of living a Christ-centered life.
God has a plan for all of us and a cycle for everything we are planned to do in accordance with His will. To do all that life demands of us we must find balance by:
- Discovering our purpose in the world. Our purpose in life is to know God through His son Jesus Christ and to live for Him.
- Establishing our priorities. Setting priorities is not about choosing between what is good and what is bad. That has been settled when you decide to live out your purpose in life. Priorities have to be set when the choice is between what is good and what is best, between what will be beneficial and what is actually God’s will for you.
- Making a plan. You can understand your purpose and set your priorities, but if you have no plan on how to make it happen, it will never happen. Nothing is going to happen until you make it happen.
Your ministry will be unique to your personal gifts and calling, and you will have time for God to use you because you have made a plan. Just get involved in the ministry that God is calling you to and let God change your heart as you serve others.
Fred Cantrell
Fred is a retired administrator of the University of Florida. He joined Servants in the last year and a half and is treasurer for House of Hope where he uses his background in finance administration to aid the organization. As he mentioned above, he also works with Kairos Prison Ministry.