Ministry at home is first and foremost

“Your greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.” — Andy Stanley

Nearly three years ago now, which seems insane to think, God whispered to my heart to let go. Let go of the ministry I love and was holding on tight to because He had something for me, but I needed both hands to hold it.

The ministry He was asking me to release at first was my leadership role in our local church. I love my church and that was the hardest thing He’d asked me to do since our move from Ellsinore to Stockton six years earlier.

I’ll be honest, I was a ball of emotion. Scared, excited, curious, giddy — you name it, I felt it. I truly believed God was trying to hand me a greater impact through ministry at Everyday Jesus. More books, maybe even a bestseller. More opportunities to speak. Bigger retreats. Everything I had worked so hard building would explode into something bigger than I could handle without both hands to catch it. But that isn’t what happened at all.

Instead of bestsellers, I have shelved my latest book. Rather than bigger retreats, I canceled the one I planned. Instead of opportunities to speak, God gifted me an opportunity to serve through our new adventure, Washed Away.

I’ve leaned into Jesus and reacquainted myself with my Him on a deeper level than ever before. I’ve rested in the me He created me to be and I discovered what He wanted me to know all along — first, I am not the sum of what I do for the Kingdom, I am His daughter and He is pleased with me. And second, Kingdom work starts first at home, at home in my heart, then in my house and flows from there.

I spent many years trying to attain some level of “faith” and kingdom impact based on how much I did and what I now realize (being the slow learner I am) is that my home is not any better for it. Were my intentions to make a name for me or to neglect my home? Absolutely not. My intentions have always been to make the name of Jesus known.

But unintentionally I neglected the ministry that was most important, my home, my husband and my children. If I’m not making Him known to them first, if my character at home looks differently than it does when I’m on the stage or behind a page, I’m doing something wrong.

I want everything I do to glorify Jesus. To do great things for His Kingdom. I want to serve and love others. My heart is for Jesus, for the local church, for the people who pick up my books to find encouragement and hope. My heart is for ministry and ministry leaders. And it’s for washing clothes for people in need. I want to do for Jesus because He’s done so much for me. But with four and a half years to go before Dustin and I are empty-nesters, I believe God has called me to grab hold of my family with both hands and do what makes Him famous in my home first.

Moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, ministry is incredibly important. The Bible tells us so. Jesus says, GO (Matthew 28:19)! So, go. But be careful not to neglect the ones in your home on the way out the door. God gifted them to you. Psalm 127:3 says children are a heritage from the Lord. They are His first. He’s entrusted us with His children. Be careful how you handle them.

Your son or daughter may be your greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God. You help lead a million souls to Jesus, but if you neglect the ones you claim to love most, how tragic.

I’m not telling you to quit ministering in your church, or turn off your dreams. I’m only asking you to be careful not to neglect your first ministry.

My pause isn’t forever. But right now, I need both hands to carry my gifts, my children. My life looks nothing like it did three years ago. It’s not been easy, but seeing the fruit of my faithfulness has made every hard moment worth it. Pray for me, friend. And I am praying for you too.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” —3 John 1:4 (NKJV)

Cassie Downs, formerly of the Ellsinore area, is a speaker, author of Chasing Jesus, a 60 day devotional, and founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry. Connect with Cassie on Facebook, Instagram, or online at cassiedowns.com.