It is our desire to encourage those who have been called to ministry...especially Women with a call...We will feature articles from time to time that will do just that from those who have answered that call and are walking it out with the help of the Holy Spirit. We pray that this article will be a blessing and encouragement to you!

Minister Deborah Simmons is the Prayer Leader/Dance Minister/Director of G.R.A.C.E Youth Dance Ministry for Wisdom Worship & Arts Ministries....

Marriage and Ministry - Finding the Balance

One Important Key:  ABIDE

By Minister Deborah Simmons

Oftentimes, it seems we are forever searching for enough time to do all that God has called us to do. It seems there is never enough time in a day, a week, or even a month, to maximize our effectiveness in every area of our God-given assignments.  We are wives, mothers, friends, on marketplace assignments, helps ministry volunteers, and on full-time ministry assignments. At times, it may even seem that one area of our lives is being sacrificed for another just to “get it all in.”  How do we maintain the balance?

John 15:1-10 is a very familiar passage to us as we are reminded by Jesus to abide in Him.  But let’s focus in on verses 9 and 10.  The Message Translation Bible reveals the essence of the word Abide and what God is speaking to us today:

"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love.  If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love. (v 9-10)

Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines the word abide in the following manner:  to wait for; to endure without yielding; to accept without objection; to remain stable or fixed in a state; to continue in a place.

In order to maintain a Godly balance between marriage and ministry, we need to make ourselves at home in God’s presence daily.  Yes, prayer is absolutely essential. Yes, praying the word of God in the form of confessions is important.  Yes, praying in the Spirit is without a doubt critical.  But God is seeking a people who will “make themselves at home” in His presence and let God speak. Instead of going full force spending all of our time talking and praying, allow God to speak to you. He will reveal to you how to effectively balance, if you let him.

During one of our prayer sessions for marriages and families, our prayer group took the time to Abide in His Presence and to allow God to reveal Himself to us as never before through the John 15:1-10 passages of scripture.  As we “endured without yielding” in His presence that night, here is how God Himself defined the word Abide to us:

A – There is Abundance in My presence.

B – Here I am before you. Behold my Holiness.

I –  A Irrigation of My love is being poured through you.

D – Your Desire to know Me as never before has been increased. Keep longing.

E – Your Earnest expectation and eagerness to wait patiently for me has purified you.

Feeling out of balance?  God has just the right equalizing plan for YOU.  Accept God’s invitation for quiet time without objection.  Continue in that quiet place with Him.  Make yourself at home in God’s presence -- ABIDE.