There’s a reality about ministry that may be difficult to understand. The Pastor works week to week, preparing sermons, praying with the sick, and being with his people. The minister goes to meetings, Church functions, and is at almost every worship service. And yet, he can neglect his own soul.

For those who are pastors, preachers, and missionaries (as well as others who minister in various ways) a danger is to be often ministering for the Lord and yet neglect Jesus and one’s own soul.

The example of Martha is enlightening. Though preparing a meal and practicing hospitality for Jesus and others, she was also neglecting Him. The Bible says that Martha was serving, but she was distracted (Luke 10:40). The next verse says, “But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things” (Luke 10:41; NASB).

Though her service may be different than ours, we too can, in a sense, neglect the Lord while serving Him and His people.

Many feel the tension. There’s so much to do. How can we keep focus? One is to see the example of Martha’s sister, Mary, “who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word” (Luke 10:39; NASB). But the main thing I want to say now is that remembering that we must be with Jesus and worship Him is, in a way, the first step to keep us from neglect. We too have a soul. We need to spend time with Jesus. We must worship Him while ministering.

If we keep in mind that neglecting Jesus, even while ministering, is a great danger, I think this can go a long way of helping us to continue to worship and love Him.