“I dunno, she’s got gaps, I got gaps, together WE FILL GAPS.” —Rocky, 1976
Could it be that at its core, ministry is simple?
Making a difference isn’t complicated?
Creating a positive impact in the workplace and world isn’t rocket science?
We make it complex.
I’ve personally made it confusing, elaborate, difficult, and almost impossible.
But in 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 Paul shares five SIMPLE ESSENTIALS for making an impact on the people around you.
“How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.” —1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 NLT
There are five simple essentials revealed in those two verses for making a difference in the world.
- A heart shaped by GRATITUDE — “How we THANK GOD for you!”
Gratitude changes everything about the way we relate to people. Everything.
Are you grateful for the people at your job, in your neighborhood, at your school, and in your community?
Gratitude is a game-changer when it comes to perspective and impact.
- A perspective formed by JOY — “Because of you we have GREAT JOY…”
Are you a joyful person? Do you engage this world with joy, pessimism, sadness, or anger?
Authentically joyful people are almost irresistible. They’re compelling and engaging.
- A life lived in GOD’S PRESENCE — “…as we enter GOD’S PRESENCE…”
One moment in the presence of God changes everything, especially you and me.
In Psalm 16:11 David wrote, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Before we engage with the world we always need to encounter and connect with our Father.
- Actions preceded by PRAYER — “Night and day we PRAY earnestly for you…”
As the missionary S.D. Gordon once wrote, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”
- A readiness to FILL GAPS. In other words, SERVE, simply SERVE — “…asking God to let us see you again to FILL THE GAPS in your faith…”
The NIV translates the line, “…supply what is lacking…”
The AMPC renders it, “…mend and make good whatever may be imperfect and lacking in your faith.”
The great pastor, author, and Chancellor of Southeastern University, Tommy Barnett said that ministry boils down to this simple principle:
“Find a need and fill it, find a hurt and. “Find a need and fill it, find a hurt and heal it.” —Pastor Tommy Barnett
This world is brimming with people with GAPS.
The simple secret to making a difference?
FILL GAPS.