Is My Ministry Just a WASTE of Time and Effort?

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
(Jn 15:5 NIV)

I am a doer of the triple A variety. I personally hate wasting anything—time, money, effort. And that, of course, applies to my online HSWI ministry and writing books.

Despite my best efforts, book sales falter, email subscribers unsubscribe, and marketing investments are often 0% ROI. How long will I have to fight these disappointments?

“I’m doing this for You, God! Why isn’t it working?
Did I misunderstand Your will?”

Is my ministry just a WASTE of time and effort?”

Thoughts like this plague my mind. Perhaps you have them too.

It’s at times like these that you and I must stop and remind ourselves of what is true.

Fact: God has called me to this ministry. He has repeatedly confirmed my specific God-given purpose.

Fact: Success in the world’s eyes does not equal success in God’s eyes. Success simply means being faithful to what He has called me to do.

Fact: My ministry is very important. I have seen some of the positive impact I have made on others. And if I continue to serve in God’s way, He will continue to make an eternal impact through me.

Jesus promised that if I abide in Him and his Word, He would produce lasting fruit that will glorify the Father. Jesus said:

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last….”
(Jn 15:7-11, 16)

Jesus knew you and I would get discouraged at times. That’s why He reminded His followers of His love and that if we remain in Him, His joy would be our joy!

So let me ask you…

• Are you certain that what you are doing is God’s plan and not just your own?
• Do you believe that God simply wants you to be faithful to what He has called you to do?
• Your service to God is important and valuable. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, factory worker, teacher, or author. Whether many people see and appreciate your efforts or not—God does. If God approves of you, then what does it matter if others do or not? (this is a repeated biggie for me).

You and I have to come to the place where we are absolutely convinced that what God is asking us to do is of utmost importance to God and others!

It will be worth it!

I will probably have to fight these doubts, discouragements, and disappointments until the day I die. So, when they hit, who will I choose to believe—Jesus the Lover of my soul, Satan the deceiver, the world, or my own faulty self?

Who will you choose to believe? 

Jesus, you chose and appointed us Christians to go and bear much fruit—fruit that will last. And although we cannot see all the results of our labor now, we know that you cannot lie. By faith, we will keep on serving and spreading the redemptive message of your love—with joy.

P.S. One last thought…
If I do life my way, instead of God’s way—now that’s wasted effort!

Relevant  Resources
What is Spiritual Fruit—that Will Last?
Do You Know Your God-given Purpose?
Are You Questioning God’s Purpose?

Check out this award-winning allegory on abiding in Christ the VineRead the first 3 chapters for FREE

BTW, I am working on a book on how to know God’s will in each and every situation. If this type of book interests you, would you please put a “yes” in the comment section  below? Thanks! I only want to produce content that is beneficial to my followers.