I've been wondering lately if we don't make this walk with God too hard. When I read the Gospels and the accounts of Jesus life, I am continually impressed with the simplicity of His ministry. He had one basic focus - I do what I see the Father doing. He had two basic commandments - Love God and love people.
Jesus never seemed to spend time building a great ministry structure. (Although we know He had a treasurer). Jesus never talks about fundraising in any of the recorded accounts. (Even though we know people supported Him out of their personal means). He never gave Himself a lofty title. In fact He referred to Himself as the son of man. He certainly could have legitimately pulled rank and demanded that people acknowledge Him as the Son of God. Yet that was and is not the Jesus way. He never needed certain perks for validation.
What did Jesus do? He healed the sick, gave hope to the hopeless, and mingled with needy sinners. He washed dirty feet, fed the hungry, and blessed the kids. Ultimately He gave His life for the benefit of people. And while this sacrifice culminated at the cross, it was not just at Calvary that He demonstrated this attitude. His entire "ministry" consisted of pouring Himself into broken people. He did not minister to people because He had a grand ministry structure. He ministered to people because He cared.
What would happen today if His followers began to simply pour their life into the life of other people. What would happen if we quit trying to build great ministries with great conferences and events and began to love people in a practical way? What would happen if we quit trying to get people to come to us and we went to them and washed their feet? What would happen if we began to discern the work of God in the world and then began to participate in that work? What would happen if our only code of conduct was - Love God and love people?
