I remember hearing once that if you can find a job you love, then you'll never work a day.

For me, in full time paid ministry, I am blessed with the fact that since I love proclaiming Christ and enabling others to do so.

I enjoy my hobby every day of the week.

However, it is possible to get too much of a good thing. I could devote every working hour of every day to Christian ministry of sorts. Yet, to do so would be a bad idea.

One reason is that my 'ministry' extends far further than my role at Youthworks Outdoors.

My primary 'congregation' is my family. When I signed up to be a husband (and later a father) I chose to become the pastor to a new ministry. This was a choice I made when I walked down the aisle on my wedding day. Ever since that day, I have been obliged to lead my family and to devote my life to serving them, under the Lord.

So, the reason I should spend time away from my 'paid' ministry to enjoy the primary congregation of my family is out of obligation to my promises of marriage.

Yet, like my paid 'job' this is also a responsibility I love to fulfil. It is a great joy and privilege to pastor my family.

Yet, I am constantly challenged by the limits of time. I want to devote my life to proclaiming Christ, both in the home and beyond at Youthworks.

To this extent, I am a workaholic. I love to work serving my ministries, at home and beyond. My life is focused on these pursuits.

But, even in the midst of enjoying being a husband/father and a full-time gospel preacher, I also need to recognise that God has created a world that is beautiful, though fallen, and one that both saints and sinners can enjoy.

To rest and relax should not be a burden or a distraction. It should be the natural response of a person who gratefully accepts the good gifts of his Father in heaven, and trusts in his sovereignty, even when I sleep.

Yet, even as I rightly stop and enjoy his creation, it doesn't mean that I stop ministering.

As someone aware of the imminent coming of our Lord, I must make the most of every opportunity to preach Christ, and to live a life of love. Even on my 'day off', I must continue to be a minister.

All of life is ministry. And for me, since ministry is my work, I therefore never stop working to an extent.

Yet, taking time to enjoy God's good gift of creation by enjoying rest shows that I trust in his sovereignty, and enjoy his everyday blessings, even though I find slowing down to be a challenge.

But, by definition, if all of life is ministry, then it means I'm supposed to be a workaholic.

Have I got something wrong?

Should we expect me and every full-time paid minister to be a workaholic?