On the way to the office the other morning, I was listening to a national public radio station.  Amidst the banter and the news stories were commercials from program sponsors.  Each radio spot was followed by the announcer proclaiming a concise purpose statement of the sponsoring organization.  After hearing multiple ads, I began to reflect on ARM’s purpose statement.

“’Filled, empowered, equipped?’  No, that’s not right… ‘Empowered, gifted, filled?’   No, that’s not it either.  Ah, yes, ‘filled, gifted, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit.’”  Just as I relaxed a little into the driver’s seat, my contentment was suddenly shattered by the reality that I stopped short of completing the purpose statement.  I had forgotten five important words significant to our purpose… in ministry to the world.  

The purpose of ARM is “Encouraging United Methodists and their churches, by the grace of God and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be filled, gifted, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit in ministry to the world.”

That incident freshly reminded me of two things: First, being “filled, gifted, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit” is not an end in itself.  It is a means to the end of being in ministry to the world.  My vision needs to extend beyond me to the world.  Being filled, gifted, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit describes how we are to be in ministry to the world.

Secondly, I am powerless to be in ministry to the world without allowing the person of the Holy Spirit to have complete control of my life as much as I know how to do at that moment.  Ministering to the world is not trying harder in our own strength.  It is surrendering all in obedience to the One who said in Acts 1:8 that we would “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

As I pulled into the parking lot of the office that morning, I asked God to fill my heart with a holy desperation and a holy discontent to daily be filled, gifted, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit in ministry to the world.  Would you join me in that prayer?

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