I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them, bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
When referring to “Our Soul as a Tool for Ministry,” I have several dimensions in mind.
One dimension is that we are agents, channels, instruments, means, vessels through which God works. We are created in the image of God, and our souls are therefore designed in such a way that we are suited for the work of ministry to others and for communion with the Triune God. Our soul in intimate communion with Christ is God’s instrument of choice for God’s work.
I also mean that our own souls, as the seat of our experiential being, is caught up with love and worship for God to the extent that our relational ministry to other peoples’ souls is an overflow from our own experience of God.
Yet another dimension is that our soul functions like an antennae in that we experience others as we minister to them. In other words, as others relate their situation to us, our soul registers a whole gamut of impressions, intuitions, thoughts, images, ideas, and emotions. These are clues to us as to what may be going on with them as well as with ourselves.
There are certain precautions we should observe at this point. We should never assume that we know or understand their situation because of these clues, but we can use the clues to respectfully ask reflective questions in order to explore and check out with others what may be happening with them.
We also should not get so caught in up what we are going to say that we fail to listen. As we continue to listen, listen, listen, we will get more clues. We may also use these clues to express compassion to them.
Only they know the entire spectrum of their experience. It is not our job to fix them. Our place is to be a compassionate presence to them. The clues that register in our soul serve as a guide as we connect with others.
The metaphor of the Vine and the Branches also conveys that Christ is the life-giving source to the branches and flows through them to bear fruit–spiritual, transformational, life-changing fruit. I wonder what that would do for us in the stress and demands of ministry? I believe for one thing that it would liberate us from the pressure to produce and perform which our culture always pushes onto us. I wonder if that is what Jesus means when he says, My yoke is easy, and my burden is light?
It seems to make sense that paying attention to our soul in union with Christ would make the transforming difference for us and our ministry. How do you pay attention to your soul as you minister to others? What do you need to do to nurture your soul?
I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts (John 15:9, The Passion Translation).