What does a life of ministry actually look like? Can you even separate this idea of ministry from life?
I have been in the thick of processing what this last year has meant for me. I have come back home with a tangled mess of the most life altering, beautiful experiences, and some of the most difficult things I have ever had to deal with. I have been trying to untangle all these thoughts into something I can actually put into practice.
Stephanie wrote a great blog about coming home and the transformation process that takes place while on the World Race. Check it out here.
It is not really possible to be able to compartmentalize our lives. This possible thought could creep into our minds: “The World Race is over = my ministry is over. Now I have to find a new ministry.” The idea that you can separate ministry and life is like trying to separate baseball and beer. No wait, lets try again. Its like separating loving your spouse and marriage. The two have to go together for it to work (baseball and beer do need to go together as well).
Last week I was down in Sedona where it was nice and warm training for the upcoming “Biking Against Trafficking” bike ride. I ran into a group of people sitting on some rocks overlooking the marvelous fire red canyon as the sun was going down. We began talking about what each of us were doing. They were in a band traveling from Miami, Florida all the way to Washington. There band was named “Poodle Bones,” and judging by their hippie-like appearance, I was not that surprised. I happened to talk about an experience I had in Cambodia, and one of the guy’s ears pricked up. “I might be going to Cambodia soon for a missions trip.” he interjects. I had not mentioned that I was doing any sort of mission trip before.
From here I got to share much more in depth about my experiences around the world, they had a few questions, and we just chatted. This guy, Micah, looked like he was very deep in thought now. After talking with him for an hour, I asked if I could pray for him. He said “Yes.” without deliberating.
After I prayed, he looked at me with tears in his eyes, saying, “Thank you so much Eric. I definitely believe that this was God’s way of telling me I have to go to Cambodia.”
I said goodbye to the rest of Poodle Bones who were very appreciative of my tips on what trail to go hike on for to enjoy the rest of the sunset. I waved at Micah as he turned down the dirt path and walked out of sight.
Ministry is as simple as life. It is loving others in everything we do. And in everything we do we do with a Christ centered mentality. There are no compartments. There is not work, school, relationships, social gatherings, and then Jesus at certain times. There is life, and Jesus is at the center of it all.
