Ministry in our lives can take many forms. For some, it might be something formal in a church setting such as parish council, an elder in the church, funeral committee, or usher/greeter. I believe ministry encompasses much more than the traditional roles in the church.
I found this definition for the word ministry in a Google search, which I think is perfect:
What if the “something is accomplished” is sharing the Jesus in you with others?
Sharing Him through the way you live,
the activities you are busy with,
and through your words.
++++++++++++
Ministry can also be viewed as…
caring for an aging parent.
taking a neighbor to the store weekly.
encouraging others through emails.
volunteering at a hospital or other organization.
being a handyman for someone who is wheelchair-bound.
writing letters to shut-ins or to those in jail.
making meals for people after surgery.
posting inspirational thoughts on social media.
Photo courtesy of DaDaAce under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
About a year and a half ago, before officially joining a different church, I sent the deacon a link to a writing I had done about a “Witness Walk” he organized the year before. Much to my surprise, shortly after, he wanted to meet with me. The first thing he asked me was, “What do you see with your “ministry?” I was quite surprised by his question because no one had ever mentioned my writings as a ministry before.
Since that meeting, God has truly shown me one ripple effect after another with this ministry. What started six years ago as a “test” to see if I would have something to say each week has indeed turned into ministry~~
–Into what will God provide for inspiration this week, to touch my heart, of seeing Him working in the simple, ordinary things in life? How can I share Him through the written word?
It is a ministry that first touches my heart, for my benefit to process how God is working all around me. I have said from the beginning if one other person is touched in a given week, if they see something differently because of this ministry, it is an added blessing.
My ministry workstation.
Flowers in celebration of the forthcoming book.
With any ministry we are involved in, there are lessons we can learn. What lessons have you learned in your ministry? Feel free to share in the comment section below.
In this writing ministry, I have learned:
–We need to step out in faith, trusting God.
–God can stretch us beyond what we think we can do.
–God sometimes puts people in our lives for specific purposes, possibly for just a season.
–We need to remain faithful to God doing our part.
–God gets the glory for all ministry.
–We need to keep pursuing the gifts God has given us.
–Our heart is most important in ministry; the number of people who read is not important.
It is vital we remember WHO produces the fruit in any ministry~
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe–as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. –1 Corinthians 3:5-6 (NIV)
God is the only one who can make the seed of our ministry grow. Our focus should be on being faithful servants of God.
I am so grateful for the many special people that have graced my life these past six years because of this ministry. I have personally grown in my relationship with God drastically and in reaching out more to others. My dear readers, I thank you for journeying with me, and I continue to look forward to what God has planned for this ministry. As only God can orchestrate, as it was never on my bucket list, a published book of thoughts will be forthcoming likely in October. I pray His name will be glorified!
In all of our ministries, the purpose is to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
Paul’s thoughts are the perfect prayer for us in whatever ministry we are working in~~
But I don’t care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And this work is to tell the good news about God’s gift of undeserved grace. –Acts 20:24 (CEV)
Keep ministering in Jesus’ name, sharing the good news of God’s grace!
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. –1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Great thought. Something to chew on.
Many thanks for reading and sharing, Mrs. G! 😇 Blessings…
Thank you for this Christine
Thank you, Amy, for faithfully reading and for sharing. I hope you are doing well.. Keep living ministry every day. Blessings…😇
Thank you Christine! God is so Good! Feeling so Blessed to know you.
Peace, Love, Prayers!
Thank you for reading and sharing those kind words, Lorie! The feeling is mutual, my friend! God truly is so good with orchestrating. Blessings… 😇
Christine, you always provide “food for thought” so thank you for all that you share. I have what I call my “mail ministry”…….sending out cards, usually “Thinking of You” or cards that offer “Words of Encouragement” if I know someone is going through a difficult time or if someone needs a “Get Well” message if they’ve been ill or hospitalized and “Words of Comfort” to people who are friends or family of friends of mine who I may not know but who have suffered a Pet Loss, something that I can so readily relate to. What I have experienced from my ministry is “God Wink” moments and how God’s timing is always perfect based on the feedback I have received from the recipients of my cards. God gives me an “inspiration”, I act on it, it ends up blessing the recipient then their feedback is a blessing that bounces back to me. All orchestrated by our wonderful God! Looking forward to your book once it is published. Blessings on your Birthday tomorrow!
Lynn: Many thanks for your kind words about my sharings and for taking time to share your “mail ministry!” I know I have been the recipient of some of those cards through the years. That is a wonderful ministry, indeed, orchestrated by God! You are an example of listening to that “little voice” to guide you. Thank you for the love, care, and kindness you put into that ministry. You are a blessing in my ways~~