I never truly got it when people told me every day should be a ministry day. I always thought it would require a lot of effort as you’ll always be on the lookout for people to connect withr talk to and hopefully know the gospel well enough to share it if the opportunity arose. I didn’t realise how wrong I was and how inaccurate my description of ministry was.
Ministry is not a chore. It’s not a task or an assignment. It’s not just about serving others but ministry is living life with Jesus and the outpour of loving people like Jesus does. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Being in Mae Sot, Thailand this month with ‘Outpour Movement’, my eyes, mind and heart have been opened to how uplifting, effortless and energising it is to “do ministry.” Being assigned to a group of Burmese people at a location called New Jerusalem to teach English, participate in church, evangelise alongside, share lunch and play sport with them during the week, I’ve come to realise how easy it has been to wake up early each morning and ride for 25mins to their house and back because I’m so excited to see and hangout with them.
Connecting, investing and getting to know these 21 guys and 7 girls, all aged between 4-28-years-old, I’ve come to love spending time with them. Every time we finish our assigned “ministry” with them, I always find myself eagerly desiring to hang out with them afterwards whether that’ll be playing the guitar, singing, chatting, sharing stories or letting the kids play on my computer because I love these people. I love their spirit, I love their smiles and I love their hearts.
What I am doing isn’t ministry. It’s life and it’s with Jesus and all I committed to do this month was be willing to get to know the people God has placed around me and let His love for me outpour onto them. Crazy huh? Who would’ve thought doing life would be ministry because it is and I love it. Even though I’ll be sad to leave these guys, I look forward to living life like I should live it and if God brings me back to Thailand, I will be sure to visit my new found family/friends and possibly do life with them once again.
How is life going for you lately? Are you part of a ministry that you are eager to be involved with? Is it uplifting, effortless and energising? If not, I encourage you to spend time with Jesus and ask him to give you a willing heart to connect with the people around you and allow Jesus’ love to outpour through you onto others. It’s incredible what happens.
