Guilt is the worst reason for taking on any form of ministry in your church or community. Guilt is the also the worst reason for doing something you no longer have the passion and drive and commitment to do. Yet that’s what happens time and time again in churches.
Christians seem to be past masters at laying guilt trips on others for what they should be doing.
A friend who is a writer and has had a number of novels published, and yes they include Christian content, was criticized by her pastor husband’s congregation because she wasn’t doing the things they expected her to do, but was writing.
This attitude to writing or the creative arts is not uncommon.
People don’t seem to understand it is not like a tap that can be turned on and off and then things need revising and editing etc. Writing needs a far amount of solitude. The implication, subtly and sometimes not so subtly, is you’re at home all the time so you have plenty of time to take on whatever particular ministry they are urging you to consider.
One of the most helpful pieces of advice I heard early in the Christian life is ‘it is okay to say no.’ God doesn’t expect us to take on everything. Only our fellow Christians do. Really what we need to do is sort out between us and the Lord exactly what things he would have us do and what not.
Remember too, that sometimes ministry in one area might only be for a season. At a different stage in life you might be called to some other area of ministry. The key is knowing what God is calling you to do and when. For this you need to stay in close communion with him. You also need to build up certain immunity to the guilt trips others try and lay on you. And it will happen.
A lady recently admitted she only went to an activity because other Christians made her feel so guilty. If you don’t feel guilty before God, then you shouldn’t worry what others think, is my view.
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