A Single Focused Life

“Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,” (2Co 6:3-4 AV)

What follows these two verses is a laundry list of things Paul has suffered, attitudes he carries, personal integrity for which he strives, or misperceptions others have of him.  He lists these things as a means of honoring the ministry into which he is called.  The list is significant.  The list is long.  The list is admirable.  The list is a goal for all who minister in the name of Christ.  Individually, they are challenging.  Collectively, it shows how Paul chose to define his life.  All those things were not individual attempts or pursuits in and of themselves.  They are the manifestation of a whole.  A life that was separated unto the gospel ministry and a servant of the LORD who realized all these things were part and parcel of his calling into the gospel ministry.  They were all part of a whole.  All things were because of his calling, and thusly, worthy to pursue or willing to suffer.

This single-mindedness is what separates those who accomplish much and those who accomplish little.  Those who accomplish little have broken up their lives into compartments.  There is the career.  There is a home life.  There is personal time of growth and enrichment.  These things exist in the life of the single-minded as well.  Yet the difference is he or she sees it as a whole.  Not in parts.  They see their lives as a journey where each part is essential to the overall goal.  He or she sees their role as a parent as guiding a soul into salvation and Christlikeness.  Not a glorified babysitter who is done once they are out of the house.  This individual sees their career as a means to share with others what Christ as done for them.  They see the personal time as a time to read and pray so as to improve upon their relationship with the LORD and grow in Christlikeness.  They are all part of a whole.  Not just parts.

Paul’s motive is that the ministry be not blamed.  He does not want the ministry to suffer loss of credibility or effectiveness because of who he is or what he has failed to do.  His desire is that he is what he needs to be and responds correctly in each and every situation so that the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ be not hindered.  In the exercise of our choices, one has to wonder how much we consider the impact those choices will have on the gospel ministry.  Paul was concerned that every aspect of his life would further the cause of Christ.  It all mattered.