Pearls: Learning from the pain of others.

A pearl is the only gem formed by the suffering of a living organism.
We all suffer pain in life. Some of us learn from it. Others don't.
I like to learn as much as I can from the suffering of others
and hopefully avoid having to learn it all firsthand.

Here are some of the pearls I have picked up regarding Ministry and Leadership.
I will be adding to these over the next few weeks and
I would love for you to add your own via the comments below.

1. When God wants to do a great work He always chooses a person who is busy being faithful in a small task.

David was tending his father's sheep. Elisha was plowing his father's field. Gideon was threshing wheat. Peter and Andrew were fishing. Matthew was collecting taxes. Paul was on his way to arrest "heretics".

I have seen many people who are so busy pursuing some big ministry that they fail to help and do what they can in small tasks along the way.

None of these guys were locked away in a prayer closet. None were trying to make a big name for themselves - except Paul - and God changed all that in him.

Do you want to make your life count significantly for God? Get busy doing what your hands find to do right where you are and when He needs someone for a big task He will know right where to find you and will inject Himself into your situation.


2. We are always looking for better methods. God is looking for better people.

Often we try to find methods to reach farther, accomplish more, broaden our ministry.
God's method is people.
If we will focus upon deepening our message - letting God have total control -
God will broaden our ministry when the time is right.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6