There are a few questions that are seldom asked of us Pastor’s wives. Almost never asked is the question of our personal relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. So I’ll be bold and ask the question now - Are you fully sold out to Jesus? Are you wholly committed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? IS YOUR ALL ON THE ALTAR? Ask yourself the questions, as I am asking them of myself.
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest
As you yield Him your body and soul.
Yielding to Jesus – yielding LIFE to Him – that’s the rub. How can one have one’s own way if life is yielded to Him? Full commitment to Jesus would mean that pastors and wives cannot make the final decision as to where we serve – the determining factor cannot be our personal desires. Simply stated, it would mean that pastors and wives cannot choose which congregations they serve based on size, location, church leadership, age of the people, etc. Setting aside personal desires and ambitions is not easy – but it’s the only way to serve when full commitment is sincere.
Or, perhaps when and where you serve is not the issue in your life? It may be something entirely different. But trust me, if you’ve read this far there is something He wants you to learn regarding commitment. Ask yourself, “What has God put his finger on in my life?” We can get so used to rationalizing – making adjustments – telling ourselves “well that’s life.” It is possible to “adjust” ourselves right outside of God’s perfect will and intention.
Remember Abraham – without knowledge of where he and Sarah were going, they followed step-by-step to the land God desired to give them. They made mistakes along the way, but they continually redirected their focus to God.
Remember Joseph – Pridefully he wore his coat of many colors until placed in a pit by his siblings and sold as a slave in Egypt. He complained not but looked to the Lord for deliverance and was honored to save the chosen people from famine and possible extinction.
Remember Jonah – who didn’t want to preach to the people of Nineveh – perhaps he didn’t find them worth his time. Result? A large fish swallowed him up until he willingly went to the repentant people.
The Lord applies pressure in the lives of His people in order to move them into the center of His will. Sister, where is the Lord applying pressure in your life today? What has God put his finger on in your life? Let the Holy Spirit examine your life. Open up to His scrutiny. He wants our repentance – He is searching for our willingness. When willing and cooperative, He will enable us to obey.
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest
As you yield Him your body and soul.
Yielding to Jesus – yielding LIFE to Him – that’s the rub. How can one have one’s own way if life is yielded to Him? Full commitment to Jesus would mean that pastors and wives cannot make the final decision as to where we serve – the determining factor cannot be our personal desires. Simply stated, it would mean that pastors and wives cannot choose which congregations they serve based on size, location, church leadership, age of the people, etc. Setting aside personal desires and ambitions is not easy – but it’s the only way to serve when full commitment is sincere.
Or, perhaps when and where you serve is not the issue in your life? It may be something entirely different. But trust me, if you’ve read this far there is something He wants you to learn regarding commitment. Ask yourself, “What has God put his finger on in my life?” We can get so used to rationalizing – making adjustments – telling ourselves “well that’s life.” It is possible to “adjust” ourselves right outside of God’s perfect will and intention.
Remember Abraham – without knowledge of where he and Sarah were going, they followed step-by-step to the land God desired to give them. They made mistakes along the way, but they continually redirected their focus to God.
Remember Joseph – Pridefully he wore his coat of many colors until placed in a pit by his siblings and sold as a slave in Egypt. He complained not but looked to the Lord for deliverance and was honored to save the chosen people from famine and possible extinction.
Remember Jonah – who didn’t want to preach to the people of Nineveh – perhaps he didn’t find them worth his time. Result? A large fish swallowed him up until he willingly went to the repentant people.
The Lord applies pressure in the lives of His people in order to move them into the center of His will. Sister, where is the Lord applying pressure in your life today? What has God put his finger on in your life? Let the Holy Spirit examine your life. Open up to His scrutiny. He wants our repentance – He is searching for our willingness. When willing and cooperative, He will enable us to obey.
