FIND THE BALANCE
Have you heard Christians today brag about their years of being in the church? Some even claim to be foundational members, and some boast of their privilege of being born into a Christian home, yet when you check their stand with God in the secret place, it is shaky or almost non-existent.
They make statements like “We are pioneer members.” “There’s no sermon God’s servant will preach that we have not heard before.” They have no understanding that it is possible to be born in the church, yet your heart doesn’t burn for God.
Many even go the extra mile to show their commitment to stewardship by joining multiple service units. They drive new converts to church every Sunday, yet struggle to drive their own hearts to devotion to God. Their house is dedicated as a fellowship centre, but they can’t remember dedicating their spirits to Him.
God certainly calls us to serve Him, but He never intended service to replace our relationship with Him. His greatest desire is not simply workers, but sons and daughters who know Him and walk with Him.
What’s the Difference?
Imagine two people: Person A works for the CEO of a big multinational company.
He knows the CEO’s schedule. He carries out assignments. He protects the company’s image and even sacrifices sleep to get the job done, but he has never sat down for a personal conversation with the CEO.
Person B is the CEO’s child.
Sometimes they work together, sometimes they don’t, but every evening they eat together. They laugh, talk, and share their lives as father and son. If you were asked who knows the CEO better, the answer would be obvious.
One works for him, but the other lives with him. That is the difference.
Being for God focuses on what you do. It asks questions like:
- What ministry am I building?
- How many souls have I won?
- How much am I serving?
- How much am I giving?
- How busy am I in church?
None of these things is wrong. In fact, as believers, they are beautiful. The danger comes when activities replace intimacy. You become so busy working for God that you no longer spend time with Him.
Being with God
Instead of asking, “What can I do for God?” We ask, “How close am I to Him?”
Being with God is about friendship, communion, listening, enjoying His presence and walking with Him daily.
One of the biggest dangers in Christianity is that ministry can replace intimacy. You can preach every Sunday, sing in the choir, lead a prayer meeting, yet slowly drift away from God. Without connection, activities drain you. Also, without connection, your activities will flow from physical strength and not be fuelled by the Spirit. This is why you will always hear Bishop Oyedepo say that he can preach from morning till evening without getting bored or tired. It takes a personality that has dwelt so much in the secret place to make such confessions.
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and I pray.” – Mark 14:32. If Jesus needed that, how much more do we?
Signs You’re Mostly “For God”
- You pray mostly when you need something.
- Your Bible reading is only to prepare sermons or lessons
- You measure your spirituality by productivity.
- You become anxious when you’re not “doing something.”
Signs You’re Living “With God”
- You are growing in living with God when
- You enjoy His presence even when there’s nothing to accomplish.
- You pray because you love Him, not just because you need help.
- Obedience flows from love rather than obligation.
- Worship becomes personal, not public.
The Balance
God wants us to serve, but our service should be the overflow of intimacy. For instance, we know that when a cup is full, it overflows. If it’s empty, nothing comes out. The life you live as a believer should be the overflow of your relationship with God, not a substitute for it.
Take a Moment on This
If God told you today:
“For the next month, don’t lead any meetings, don’t sing on the altar, don’t preach, and don’t post sermons. Just spend time with Me.” Would you feel relieved, or would you feel like your purpose had been taken away? Your answer may reveal whether your identity is rooted more in working for God than in walking with God.
Finally, it is important we know that being for God says, “Lord, what can I do for You?” And being with God says, “Lord, I simply want to be with You.”
The Christian life is healthiest when these are in the right order:
1. Be with God (relationship).
2. Become like God (transformation).
3. Work for God (service).
When intimacy comes first, service becomes a joyful response rather than a burden or an obligation.