Im Too Busy!

Scripture Reading: Exodus 18:1-24

Church planters are busy people! Starting a church requires intense effort and much time.

Sometimes it is our family who complains about this the most. If you read between the
lines in Exodus 18, it was probably Moses wife Zipporah who complained to her daddy
Jethro that her hubby was too busy caring for the children of Israel to care for his own
children Gershom and Eliezer. Great things were happening (see v. 9) but it was coming
at the expense of a happy family.

Is the same thing happening to you? Dont let it! Dont sacrifice your family on the altar
of church planting success. Besides, working yourself to death or ill health is
counterproductive and doesnt please J esus.

Listen to this father-in-laws advice, What you are doing is not good. You and the
people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you.
You are not able to do it alone (Exodus 18:17-18, ESV).

The solution? Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who
are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of
thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. (Exodus 18:21, ESV).

Pastor, stop thinking that you are the answer to everyones problems! Look for those you
can place over groups and ministries. Raise up, mentor and train leaders. Then set them in
free to minister. Remember, your job is to equip the saints for the work of ministry
(Eph 4:12).

Stop doing ministry and start equipping for ministry.

Your wife, children and father-in-law will thank you forever.


Suggested prayer:
Lord, help me to equip others and share ministry so everyone will be blessed, including
my precious family. Save me from a Messiah complex and enable me to equip others.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

--Mark Williams, DCPI Executive VP