On the World Race, the term “ministry” gets thrown around a lot.
We blurt out phrases that describe places, activities, and events. We make ministry sound like a thing we do, rather than a lifestyle we live out.
“I have ministry this morning, I can’t watch Friends for three hours straight.”
“What time is ministry?”
“Yay! We got our ministry for next month. It’s gonna be sick, y’all!”
You get the picture.
Merriam-Webster says ministry is a person or thing through which something is accomplished.
As of late, God is teaching me what it means for my entire life to be ministry.
I’ve heard the Christianese phrase tossed out many times. “Life is ministry. Ministry is life.” But now I’m witnessing this truth find its breath in my own life.
Ministry is so much more than a place I go or an activity I facilitate. It’s more than praying over someone or preaching a sermon. It’s not an assignment or an obligation, but a manifestation of God’s expression in my life.
Ministry is an overflow.
God often whispers to me about truths such as these in our secret place.
He says, “My daughter, you have a choice. I’ve given you the free will to pick whether you will bring Life to this world or sit on the sidelines as it perishes.”
Regardless if I like it or not, my actions send a message. Every step I take is one that has potential to pull people near to the Father or drag them in the opposite direction.
What an honor it is to be trusted with the workmanship of the Creator of the Universe? What a charge to live my life in a way that says, “This guy Jesus, I believe with everything in me that he’s the real deal. He died for you and me so we could have this thing called freedom. He took our due punishment because he loves us that dang much!”
At the same time, it sounds like a big task. What if I want to sit in my brokenness and make the choice to sit on the sidelines? What about the times I don’t feel moved by compassion? What about the inevitable moments of failure?
Thankfully, the destiny of humanity doesn’t rest on my shoulders. That would be a big ‘ol mess, wouldn’t it? I know God is bigger than my failures, my inadequacies, and my stubborn utterances of “not right now.”
My point is that full time ministry is not anything like your average 8 to 5 gig. I can’t shut it off when the day is done. I wouldn’t want to.
It’s living in a constant state of prayer, service, and intentional relationships. It’s always being ready with a “yes” in my spirit. It’s asking for God to shake up every day with divine appointments. It’s saying to Jesus: you lead, I’ll follow.
As I’m sitting here writing this blog in the Chimaltenango mall, God did that very thing.
Five minutes ago, I was preparing to sketch out an example of how God gave me an opportunity for ministry outside of my assigned ministry this month.
In that very moment, a 7-year-old boy approached me. I assume he spotted a Gringo and thought for sure he could score a few Quetzals (Guatemalan currency) from me.
It appears his mom sent him out to beg for money. Here is this child standing in front of me, being corrupted by the brokenness of this world.
Its completely heart shattering, but not at all surprising. It’s not uncommon to see local kids being used as hand puppets for adults who bank on their emotional appeal. I hate that this is reality, but here I am, with my feet planted in it.
After he dropped the question, I was faced with a choice. Do I sit here in my own position of comfort, iPhone in hand, and dismiss this little boy? Or do I invest in the chance to share God with someone he has set before me for the sole purpose of loving well?
Aside from my personal convictions about giving money to beggars, I knew the best thing I could do for this particular little boy was to simply try to get to know him.
In our short conversation, I learned a few details about my new friend. I offered to pray for him, and though he seemed more concerned about finding someone that would actually give him what he was asking for, I felt a wash of compassion and love blanket me in that moment.
Thankfully, God hears my petitions whether the kid is standing next to me or not. I’m praying for God to protect and guide him home.
So, this is ministry. It’s living out my convictions that God is who he says he is. He is far more able to fix the broken things than I. When I invite him into all of my moments, he shows me he can still do more through me. It’s as simple as doing life with him and saying “yes” moment by moment.
He truly shows up. He showed up today as I sat here writing this account to you.
This whole idea begs the question, why wouldn’t I want to let myself be used as a vessel for God every single day?
I’m choosing in.
