ONEMinistry Maxim #1: Stop trying to accomplish kingdom work in your own human strength.
I came up with this maxim while preaching through Colossians 1:28-29. In verse 29 Paul notes, For this reason I labor, striving according to His power which mightily works within me. The proper balance in life and in ministry is maximum human effort (note the holy perspiration Paul puts forth) yet with total reliance on Christ (for apart from Him we can do nothing)!
So many times I find myself trying to accomplish kingdom work in Caleb Kolstad's strength. This pattern of behavior is a perfect recipe for burn out and failure. In God's patience He often allows me to fall flat on my face. Once we are on our backs (or knees) we often cry out to Him for help, which in turn, strengthens us for the task at hand!
The Apostle Paul had come to understand this "maxim" in his own ministry context (note specifically 2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
