I completely understand that the sheer fact of putting this on a public forum is somewhat counteracting the point, but for all of you who are involved in ministry, I thought this was way too important not to share.  This is from Dr. David Jeremiah’s Bible study called “The Tender Warrior.”  It’s a study on the life and ministry of David.

“David got ready for the first public event of his life by being faithful in the private events of his life.  Because he gained victory in the private areas of his life, he was prepared for victory when God called him into the public venues of his life.  David was courageous and faithful, not because he was showing off for other people or his sheep, but because it was his responsibility.

Everyone who works his or her way through years of toil at seemingly insignificant jobs is developing the faithfulness needed for larger things.  It is my observation after several decades of ministry that very little of what is important is public, and a great deal of what is important is private.  It is our preparation in the private part of life that determines whether the public part will have any significant, lasting impact or not.  After all, when representing God in the public arena, it is only what we get from God in private that is worth anything.  And if we’re not spending time with God in private, we have nothing to offer in public.”

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” – Philippians 3:8

How about you?

What spiritual disciplines are most important to you in preparing for worship ministry?