If there’s one thing I’ve learned over that past four months it’s this – Ministry NEVER ends
There is no start time or end time, sure you can say that the class you teach or the bible study you lead has a definite end time. But that’s not the only ministry you do.
As a Christian your life is ministry, the life that you live is supposed to be representative of Christ living inside of you. I’ve started to see that my ministry on the race isn’t just when I’m teaching a class, building a fence, preaching in a village or praying over people. Ministry happens every day in the small moments.
It’s the hugs that I give my students when I run into them at the local coffee shop/ wifi spot, the conversation I have with the girl sitting next to me on a flight, the relationships I form with the backpackers staying at our hostel, or it’s the love and time that Andrew & Austin have invested in Patrick the bartender at one of the many bars that line Serendipity beach.
We know that as Christians our calling is to reflect Christ’s love – unfortunately what so many seem to forget is that we don’t only need to reflect His love during the prescribed times we’re supposed to do ministry. I know, I know that that’s easier said than done right?
I mean when your frazzled and running late, you stop for your morning coffee and they get the order wrong, the last thing you want to do is stop and chat to someone let alone even smile at them right? Or lets put it this way – I might have just spent the entire night getting eaten up by mosquitos and waking up constantly itching, we’ve run out of toilet paper so I’ve spent all morning scrounging up the last pieces of napkins/ tissues I have scattered in my belongings, breakfast today may be fish jerky and rice porridge/ soup (reminiscent of training camp). The last thing I want to do is show anyone a smile or joy because to be honest I don’t have ANY in me.
It’s in these moments that I learn that I need to die to myself and fully rely on God to give me His love and His joy. You never know who He is going to bring into your life that day or the opportunity that you might get to make a difference in someone else’s life, however small. Don’t miss out on these opportunities because you’re too focused on the small annoyances in your life.
– Jess
