I want to share a few stories of what ministry looked for my squad, but before I go over the highlights, I felt that the Lord wanted me to talk about a topic that’s come up a lot this month. Something I’m struggling with right now, and that’s comparison.
I thought this was a dead horse for me but the horse is still rearing its head at every opportunity. I’ll be honest, after listening to some of the amazing Faith Day stories, I had to physically step away because I started comparing my day to everyone else’s. I began to ask God, “Why didn’t I get fed lunch like so-and-so? Why didn’t I get to have a crazy experience like that person?” It ate away at the excitement of my day, all of the cool things the Lord had done, and turned my experience into nothing.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who struggles with comparison. I can’t be the only one who goes into a situation with expectations and then leaves disappointed when those expectations aren’t met. If you’re thinking that your experience wasn’t extraordinary because it didn’t look a certain way, just take a moment and ask what God thinks. (He’ll probably say it was pretty awesome.)
We know God works in mysterious ways. He’s created us to be unique, all coming from different backgrounds and experiences. So why shouldn’t our stories of ministry be different? There isn’t one size fit all evangelism. That’s why this month has been so exciting. We’ve been given so many opportunities to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and walk with Jesus that we’ve been blessed with such awesome experiences.
Take Naz and Anna Maria, for example. On the treasure hunt day, without them knowing at first, they met one of our neighbors at his business. They just started helping him fold clothes and then stayed for a couple hours getting to know him and his family. Then a few days later he stopped by and asked them to dinner. When they were able to go, they were served a four course meal and talked about God with his family. How cool is that? A simple act of kindness like helping fold laundry led to preaching the Gospel.
There are times you don’t even have to talk about Jesus. Maybe those people are not in the right place for salvation and instead just need some encouragement.
Brandi had an encounter with a 21 year-old man who had no family – his mother died, his father was an alcoholic, his siblings were gone. He spilled out his heart to her and the Lord used her to show him that he wasn’t alone. She told him that his father – God – was with him every day and that she was his sister. That’s exactly what he needed to hear. His face lit up and for that brief moment, he didn’t feel alone.
Andrea, Bridget, and I had a great time encouraging a 19 year-old guy who had very little self-esteem. He was leaving for Malaysia the next day to interview for a sales job. His family was poor and he was in search of a better life. We sat and had tea together, complimenting his English and answering questions he had about America. There was a moment when his attitude changed – he snapped because we wouldn’t give him money – but the second we told him that we were his friends, he lit up. In that moment, he wasn’t alone, but loved and cherished.
Even something as small as giving a woman a flower can ignite conversation and provide the opportunity to show God’s love. There were several people handing out flowers to people on one of our temple days, and one of them was Kate. She held a single flower and prayed that it could show the Creator’s love to someone. She saw a woman with a baby in her arms and handed the flower to her, bravely telling her that she was beautiful and Jesus loved her. That led to Kate meeting the rest of the woman’s family and learning about their lives.
Sometimes ministry looks like worshipping on a bus or in the middle of a crowd at a temple. Even if all they heard was your beautiful voice as you passed by, God used that to show his light amongst the darkness. Destiny got to share her testimony on the bus and pray over the bus driver. Coram Deo stopped near the temple and sang, and after gathering a large crowd, started preaching. Bippin shared a word from God to a man for his granddaughter. A man experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence. Many people were prayed over.
On one of our earlier temple days, Katie Keuhn met an older woman who didn’t speak much English, but walked with her and held her hand. She talked and talked but Katie had no idea what she was saying. Come to find out, Katie reminded the woman of her daughter. The woman was so happy to walk with Katie and share that precious time even if none of them understood each other.
You see, ministry can look like anything. It could be talking to and having tea with prostitutes and their managers. Ministering to a drug dealer about the highest high he could have with Jesus. Climbing a tree and connecting with a fellow Christian who needed encouragement amongst his nonbelieving friends. Befriending a coffee shop owner who just happens to have gone to a Michigan college. Ministering to a Christian widow who gives other women-at-risk jobs. Being a shoulder to cry on while a woman confesses about her strained relationship with her late father.
God does not fit in a box, and neither does ministry. Don’t fall into the pit of comparison, because that’s where the enemy wants you. He wants you to believe that you have nothing to offer. But God thinks differently. Every moment, however big or small, is counted as good in his eyes. Because it’s all one step closer to bringing his children back to him. And that’s what we want, right? To have our brothers and sisters with us in the end.
I’m still raising support for my trip! My next deadline of $11,000 is April 1, only a month away. If you’d like to donate, click on the Support Me! link on the left sidebar.
