Sandusky, OH 2007: While Trent Ling does little more than slurp oversized snow cones, the ministry is on a roll. Rarely do we get a chance to stop and reflect at the spiritual distance God has allowed us to cover in such short periods of time. Amen for God and the people who love Him.
From Trent Ling:
“Be diligent in these matters, give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15.
Recently, I relished the opportunity to re-read and re-examine approximately 500 ministry letters (most of which had been written over the prior few months). In my reading and considering, I marveled at our radiant living of the above-quoted Scripture. Clearly, this ministry continues to chart quantum progress every season. There is no mistaking it or missing it! My brothers and sisters seemingly effortlessly resolved issues so great and supernatural that God stands alone as the only rational explanation for the victories numbering in the hundreds.
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3.
Some of our number simply handled their matters by powerfully “seeing to it.” Others spiritually and matter-of-factly grew past their struggles. And, some troubles burned off as lives in Christ became hotter and more passionate. We all have found encouragement in all of this.
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4.
It takes great weaponry to achieve such across-the-board repentance and internal growth. We employ the costless but potent weapons of walking in the light (being always seen and known), humility, remaining teachable always, sharing freely, accounting fully, and proving our earnestness. Armed with these spiritual armaments, we nobodies remarkably cannot be beaten. The dissolving hurdles littering 500 historical letters proved this once again.
“As you come to him, the living Stone–rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him–you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house…” 1 Peter 2:4-5.
This is a ministry with standards, and the Scriptures exact these standards. We call each other to be living stones and we expect an account for it and a demonstration of it. Additionally, we expect living stones to shake off and overcome whatever ails them. Such is the power of the Truth we follow. Not all of our people are yet living stones, but the supermajority have already proven to be so. Of course, the opportunity to be so readily exists for all in or out of the ministry.
“The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” Proverbs 20:5.
We remain unique. We spend our best times and resources drawing out the deep waters of hearts and minds. We do not waste time and resources resembling hopelessly broken records, though our ministering courteously doles out reminders on the fly-by. Additionally, God has richly blessed the ministry by providing us men and women with the gift, heart, and willingness to draw out our own people and all people.
Essentially, the alarms and obstacles outlined in the 500 letters were muted, evaporated, and/or readily addressed. What remained were 20 letters revealing and charting deep waters to be addressed carefully and fully at a later time. In that, we once again get to roll up our sleeves and get to the good stuff–the territory well over our heads that God mercifully also gives into our hands.
This is internal ministry progress relevant in Scripture.
How does your “ministry” mark its progress?
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