This week I met with a very close friend who is involved in full time ministry. Every time I asked him how he was doing he referred to times he was able to minister to other people.

I believe those of us in ministry often judge how we are doing based on how our ministry is going. How much fruit is there in what I’m doing? Are people coming to Christ? Is God speaking through me? But do these questions actually have anything to do with how we are doing as people?

A person can be leading a great move of God and still be dying on the inside. Too often, ministers get in the habit of constantly pouring out and either don’t take the time to receive or don’t have anyone willing to invest in them.

I know God wants us to do our part to help people. To, “bring heaven to earth,” but I don’t believe he wants this to come at the cost of His relationship with us. We serve a God who is first and foremost relational.

He desires to be in communion with us, His children, and nothing should come in the way of this. Sometimes we get so focused on outward things, ministry, school, work, friends, that we forget the God who created us is madly in love with us and desires to spend time with us.

I know I fall into this same trap. I want to go and do things all day long. When the day ends I may feel a certain satisfaction looking at all I have accomplished, but my Father is wishing I had taken time with Him.

Whether we know it or not, our hearts long to be with God. We NEED His affection, His touch, and His words. But too often we strive to gain affirmation from people and a sense of accomplishment and we miss out on the only thing which really matters.

I believe God spoke two things to me through my conversation with my friend this week. The first is to remember my relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in my life. Nothing else even comes close.

The second is when I meet one of those ministers who has been constantly pouring out, to be someone who helps bring them rest. My prayer is that God will enable me to be a friend who brings refreshment to the others.

No matter what you do. Whether you are in full time ministry, or work a full time secular job, I encourage you this week to take time out and “gaze upon the beauty of the Lord,” as Psalms 27:4 tells us to. Spend time with the one who created you, died for you, and is dying to be with you. This is His desire for us more than anything else.