I have been continuing for the past couple of years to translate my original blog posts into Japanese and am now in Acts.
As I translated what I originally wrote, another aspect of this passage struck me.
Obviously, the apostles were dropping the ball in terms of making sure all the widows were getting fed.
But what was the answer? To just be more faithful in fulfilling those duties? That certainly would have been one option.
But to be faithful in doing those duties would have been problematic. Why? Because those duties, important as they were, were not what God had called the apostles to do.
They were called to preach the word and to pray. For the apostles, to faithfully serve the widows would have meant not being faithful in preaching the word and praying. After all, a person has only so many hours in a day.
And that’s why they delegated the ministry of feeding the widows to the deacons. By doing so, the apostles could focus on what God wanted them to do.
It is so easy to get caught up in doing things, even good things, even necessary things, and yet neglect to be faithful in doing what God has called you to do. It’s a question I’m asking myself now.
My church is going through a bit of a transition right now, with some people going out to start a new church.
And so the question I’m asking is, “What do I need to do to help with this transition period? And what don’t I need to do?”
That’s not the easiest question to answer, and one I’m praying about. Like I said, there are some good and necessary things that need to be done.
But the question is, can I do them and still be faithful to the call God has given me, not just to my church, but to my family? Because God has called me to minister to them too.
May we all be faithful to the call God has put on our lives.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 