Sometimes things don’t go according to plan on the race. That’s why you learn to become flexible.
When I arrived in Ethiopia, I was assigned reforestation as my ministry, and for those of you who know me, you could only imagine my excitement. I had the opportunity to walk through rows and rows of potent Eucalyptus trees overwhelming my nose with more than pleasant aromas. I worked in the shade of pine trees next to a winding river reflecting the golden light of the afternoon. This is where I potted dirt into sleeves of plastic which was the starting ground for a seedling to grow into a tree that would bring life back to the land.
I was so expectant of the impact and relationships that was going to come out of this ministry, however, my ministry was redirected shortly after reforestation started. We were no longer able to take the walk to the reforestation site due to unrest in the town, so in replacement, we did manual labor at the base we were living at. This consisted mainly of hand cutting grass, gardening and making bricks. I suddenly felt as though I wasn’t doing anything productive and my attitude shifted for the worst. I felt mundane and useless.
The Lord so graciously showed me that I was blinded by wanting glory and praise for myself rather than working for the glory of the Father. Yes, cutting grass by hand and breaking up dirt isn’t the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of ministry, however ministry isn’t secluded to a box. Whether you are at your job, in class, or cutting grass with a knife in the middle of the African plain, you are doing ministry. I learned that cutting grass meant I was honoring the base and the people who live on it. I was lowering myself and my pride, and serving like Jesus did. Even what seems like the most mundane and ordinary activity is an opportunity to honor the Father and minister to anyone and everyone around you.
What in your life are you doing that you never thought could be a ministry platform?
And how can you step into a place of humility, honor, and ministry in every area of your life?
