Over the last 11 months I have formed a lot of definitions in my head concerning what the word “ministry” really consists of. Sometimes its manual labor, sometimes sitting with orphans, sometimes preaching; but whatever it is that we are doing there has been one consistent thing: that we are bringing the love of Jesus to someone. We are praying for them, laying hands on them-asking for healing, or whatever it is we feel the Lord calling us to do.
Although I have spent a lot of time thinking about what “ministry” really means, God continues to show me new things. Recently, God has been showing me that ministry is not like a job. Ministry is not this ambiguous thing that you do Monday through Friday from 9-5. In fact, ministry is not like a “job” at all but more like life. God is showing me that “ministry” is my life and it’s never ending. It is something He has called me to do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. He has also been showing me that ministry involves being open to what God has for me WHENEVER He chooses. God’s anointing and power can fall on any person at any time in any place as HE ordains; the KEY is asking the Lord to open our eyes and our ears to the opportunities He is placing directly in our path.
Last week as our squad was making our way by bus from Guatemala to Nicaragua God gave me an “unexpected opportunity” for ministry. We were at the Guatemalan/El Salvadorian border. I had just gotten my passport stamped and was heading back to our charter bus. The night before our Guatemalan contact, Pastor Benjamin was praying over me and told me that the Lord was going to give me a healing anointing. He encouraged me to keep my eyes open for what God has for me, especially if I found my self delayed at the border the next day. All morning I had been thinking about what he had said and I kept getting this vision of laying hands on someone and praying for healing at the border. I couldn’t figure out why I could not get this thought out of my head. I also prayed that I would actually SEE a miraculous healing, and I kept hearing, “You don’t have to see a miraculous healing, you have the faith to believe it can happen even if you don’t physically witness it.” So, I am coming back to the bus and I come around the open bus door and there right beside our bus was this man in a wheelchair begging for money. I noticed as I approached him that he was missing his right leg and his left leg was severely crooked. I instantly knew that God had placed him there for me to minister to. I went up to him and in broken Spanish asked if I could pray for him. He nodded, and I asked if he knew who Jesus Christ was and he nodded again. I laid hands on him and began praying for him in tongues. It was at this point that my flesh was set aside and the power of the Holy Spirit took over. Things began to happen that I had no control over. As I was praying the hand that I had laid on his shoulder got really hot (I was standing in the shade) and my right hand began to shake. As I continued to pray eventually my whole body was shaking and moving in a way that words cannot explain. I knew I was under the power of the Holy Spirit, but my mind was wondering what on earth was going on. I prayed that he would receive full healing in his leg, that the Lord would grow him a new one. I prayed provision over his life and claimed healing in Jesus Name. After I was done and getting back on the bus I noticed he was overcome with tears.
As I sat there on the bus I was overcome with emotions. I put in my ipod and just worshiped the Lord for what He had done. I was overcome for the condition of this man and began to intercede for him. I read Acts chapter 3 where Peter and John tell the man at the temple gate: “silver or gold I do not have but in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth get up and walk!” I claimed this verse over this man’s life. As I was interceding for him I just kept getting this vision of his leg growing back, him getting up out of his wheelchair and RUNNING with the joy that comes with full restoration and healing. I firmly believe with ALL of my heart that that man met Jesus on the road that day and that Jesus fully healed him-that his leg grew back and he experienced the joy of being able to walk!
God works in mysterious ways. He can use us at anytime as long as we are open and willing to His leading. God used me to minister to a man as I was on a hot, stinky, 40 hour bus ride from one country to another. My question for you is this: Are you open to God’s calling? Are your eyes and ears open and ready at ALL times for the opportunities He may be putting right in front of you? Don’t miss out on what God has…because being open to His leading is one of life’s best blessings.
