If you’ve ever listen to sermons there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard a pastor speak about ministry. The importance of it, and how we all need to be active participants. I’ve heard a number of energized speakers talk on the subject. With the Holy Spirit leading them, I felt God calling me. “Go and spread The Word.” “Be His hands and feet.”
“In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith, the prototype being the Great Commission. Some ministries are identified formally as such, and some are not; some ministry is directed towards members of the church, and some towards non-members.”
We as believer are all called to this great commission. But some can suggested with what this calling actually looks like in their day-to-day life. Watching as others flourish while feeling lost can lead us to actually believing we’re missing out. Like a carnival ride you feel permanently stuck on a one way track. As a new believer I knew these feelings all to well. In my early walk with Christ I thought I’d know without a doubt what my purpose was. Like a Hollywood movies where the main character has a moment where everything comes together. The lights brighten as the music raises. Ya, that’s what I had in mind. Anyone else hope for that…no just me?
Looking back on it now I can see how foolish it was to expect to have it all figured out. I discounted that this uncertain journey may be exactly what God had in mind for me. So though some receive their callings loud and clear, others, yes I’m including myself in this, have to follow a faint whisper. But I don’t mind that this fact because I know I’m in good company.
https://harvest.org/resources/gregs-blog/post/the-surprising-thing-about-world-changers/
Good Company
Let’s look at other followers like Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They were all fishermen before they followed Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11). Matthew was a tax collector (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14), and David was a shepherd boy (Isaiah 40:11, Micah 7:14). Though they all came from fairly different walks of life, I think we can all agree that their calling would be classified as the “loud and clear.” But what about the rest of us.
Well, here’s an example for us in the whisper section. This man grew up in a fatherless home with an alcoholic mother. As he grew older he had had hopes of becoming a cartoonist. Yet, when Jesus entered the picture everything changed. Today he is a successful author, and pastor to one of the largest churches in the United States. Pastor Greg Laurie turned his life over to Christ as a teenager. Yet, he never had plans to become a pastor. He hoped for anything but that calling, because public speaking was out of his comfort zone. Can you believe that? See that’s what God can do. Only God can take our dusty road with its many twists and turns and lead an ordinary person to an extraordinary destination.
“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” This is key in understanding God’s purpose for your life. God has numbered your days and will fulfill every purpose He has for you. Psalm 57:2
So let’s stop comparing our “journey” against that of other non-believers and believers alike. Our road is being customize to fit us and the ministry field before us. Not all of us our going to have a story like Pastor Greg Laurie, because God has given us all different talents. Yet, the Creator of the universe still cares about our story. He loves us so much He created an individualized path and plan for each of His children. I don’t know about you, but that knowledge alone brings me peace.
https://www.ladydspeaks.com/first-years/
Make It Count
No matter where you are in life as you read this I want to encourage you to make every moment count. Depend on God and not on your own ideas or plans. I know that’s easier said than done. As a recovering control freak the temptation to rely on oneself is strong. But the longer I’ve walked with the Lord the more I’ve come to realize the truth. When I let go I make a way to let God do what He does best. Letting Jesus take the wheel, so to speak, doesn’t mean I’ll get to sit back and do nothing. But it does mean that stress, doubt, and fear can all take a hike.
Stay vigilant and be ready for challenges as well as opportunities. Your ministry field may even surprise you. I’m a homeschooling mom, with a blog/podcast that I started not really knowing what I was doing. Seriously, I am not even sure I had a plan (for either). But without knowing it both of these areas in my life have become my ministries. I didn’t plan them, but here they are. God has used my talents, even the ones I didn’t view as talents, for these exact callings. So if you take nothing else away let it be this. When on the road to ministry it is best to let Him drive since He knows the way.