“Eternal life.” How many times have we heard those two words together? Sometimes they become so familiar that I forget their transformative power. Looking in my ESV study notes for today’s verse, I found the idea of “realized eschatology,” the fact that our eternal lives with Jesus start now. Isn’t that so encouraging to think about? God has eternal purpose for us that we are already living in if we are living in Him! Sometimes it’s hard to feel motivated and equipped to continue working hard, especially when we are exhausted from serving and caring for others. We know God calls us to continue reflecting His love (Galatians 6:9), but the daily grind can quickly feel like a never-ending and exhausting marathon. Let’s take a moment today to pause and quiet ourselves before God as we look at ways to pursue longevity in our ministry.

1) Have still moments with Jesus.

One of the ways we see Jesus interacting with His disciples is in moments of rest, refreshment, and worship. In Mark 6:31 we read, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” In the midst of the hustle, Jesus called His own away to be restored. In John 21:12, Jesus invites His disciples to “Come and have breakfast” after revealing Himself to them and redeeming their night of unsuccessful fishing. These are powerful and productive ministry moments, and instead of telling His disciples to go do a bunch of things, Jesus invites them to rest and provides for their basic needs. Accepting Christ’s invitation takes humility but will absolutely deepen our relationships with Him and cultivate healthy, Christ-focused ministry.

2) Be in community.

When I think of an influential Christian, Paul immediately comes to mind. But Paul did not go at it alone. He travelled with companions, including Barnabas and Silas (Acts 13:2, 16:25), and he depended on others, as we can see in his letters (Philippians 4:21, Acts 16:6). How can we partner with others in the callings and roles God has given us?

3) Walk in the unique calling God has given you.

In 1 Corinthians 12, we see that God has given believers varied gifts from His Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4). Are we confidently walking in the spaces God has called us, or are we trying to make our lives look like the lives of fellow believers? Are we present in this season, or are we trying to do all the things God called us to in a different season? Let’s examine our hearts with the Spirit as we seek His will.

As we close out today’s devotional, I wanted to encourage us with this beautiful and powerful truth:

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8