Ever since I began this journey of mine, I have heard minister after minister talk about their church’s individual ministries. Many have put their mission statements before their congregations for a vote of approval and then a commitment in action and activities to be pursued. Some describe themselves as urban ministries, while others serve the homeless. Still others prioritize prison ministries, while others focus, depending on size and resources, on Christian education.
Some are simple. Some are varied, if not complex. Maybe you’ve been told, like me, that everyone has a ministry. Where you see a need, you can probably find a calling.
Maybe my rather public statements of faith could be interpreted as ministry. Ministering doesn’t necessarily only come from ministers. We all have an obligation to spread the Word, preach the gospel, proclaim Christ as Lord.
In private moments of contemplation, I’ve often wondered what Jesus’ ministry was. If you want to emulate someone’s ministry, it would be His.
Aside from miracles and the like, it seems God came amongst us and simply served where needed. He taught (teacher). He communicated (motivational speaker). He converted (recruiter). He harvested the fruits of His labor (salesman).
Simple man, simple ministry … service, service, service. We can all minister. The question is: Will you choose to? Will you accept the obvious role God has chosen for you? For the confused or the reluctant, this is an easy task. All one has to do is use the gift(s) God has blessed you with for His purposes rather than your own.
I write and have made a conscious decision to write something for the Lord. What do you do as lawyer, accountant, cook, salesman, banker, day laborer, mother, father or mechanic, employed or not? Jesus proved you have no excuse because each gift has a spiritual manifestation, if we choose to view it as ministry.
“We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8.
Stop for a moment and take inventory of the many gifts God has blessed you with. Use them wisely – or perish in worldly wealth and spiritual poverty.
