Misconstrued: To misunderstand the meaning of; take in a wrong sense; misinterpret
An updates coming soon but I felt the need to share what the Lords been showing me lately, and I promise you this, this is key to living the Christian life. Bold claim right? Well ima stick to it. Before I start I want you to answer this question, what is ministry?
I have heard so many good answers to this question and I have heard very few that are wrong, but the answer that I found I like the best is the one im gonna be talking about.
*LOVING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU*
This really came to me on the race. I hate hearing people say “what time is ministry today” or “when I got back from ministry…” and it’s not their fault, it’s what we call it when we’re helping out a ministry organization, but could that be instilling in our minds that our “ministry” is over for that day, or that’s the only “ministry” we have? We ministered to the people we were supposed to today, now I can kick back, relax, and drink some mint juleps. And don’t get me wrong, that is doing ministry, but is that all we’re called to do? Is all we’re called to do is teach English for that day, play with those orphans, plant a garden, work in a coffee shop, preach for that day?? Maybe. Maybe that is all the Lords got for you that day, but I know for me personally, I don’t give Him room to work. I say “Ok God I did my ministry today, Ima go chill now”. And I’ve just been really convicted that God doesn’t call us to love people during our 9 – 5, He calls us to love people ALWAYS, He calls us to love the people who are in front of us.
In reading the Forgotten God by Francis Chan (please read this, it’s easy and short to read and life changing if you allow it to be) one of the chapters is called ‘Forgetting Gods will for your Life’. He used this to say we get so wrapped up in “God what do you have for my life” we miss what God has for us in that moment. Plus its provides a cop-out, we can then say that we are going to be living Gods will by doing this in the future, when in reality we’re not living in His will NOW.
But how?? How do we live like this?? I’m not sure to be honest with you I’m still tryin to figure it out, but heres some things I’ve thought of…
This is the KEY, the most important thing, what HAS to come first. My definition of ministry could fall under the second greatest commandment according to Matthew 22:39 – Love your neighbor as yourself. But if we don’t put the greatest commandment ahead of that, we’re screwed. THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT MUST COME BEFORE THE GREAT COMMISSION! (Quote from the book spiritual slavery to spiritual son ship). We have to Love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, mind, soul, and strength (mttw 22:38) before we can even THINK about loving others. Judah Smith holds one of my favorite quotes about this.
“The more we focus on loving people, the more ANNOYING they become. The more we focus on Gods love for us, the more we love what He loves”.
I don’t know how many of you have ever tried loving people on your own, but it’s not easy. We cannot do it, we don’t have the capacity to love people, especially if we’re going to live a life where we’re always open to loving the person in front of you. You should be SO filled up with Love from our Father that you cannot help but overflow onto others. This concept is the ONLY one we need in our lives, Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things will be added to you”. We need to put him first!
Even though that’s all we need, sometimes we need to know how to do that. And even though I don’t know all the answers here either, I’m once again gonna try my best.
When being convicted I said I don’t leave room for God. When I’m done “ministry” I’m done. Well, here’s a news flash, we’re never done ministry. Not in the sense of loving the person in front of you. Living a life being open to the Spirit is the only way to make this happen. Walking down the street to your scheduled “ministry” that day, are you open to the Lord? If He prompts you to buy someone food, or go pray for that person, are you going to do it or say “I’m going to ministry”, or obey. On an airplane are you ready to watch a movie or put in your iPod, or are you open to the Spirit telling you to speak to that person. We need to leave room for God to work in our lives!! We need to give him space, not just at our “ministry” not just when we’re praying, not just when we’re reading the bible, we need to give him space all the time. When we’re walking, eating, worshiping, laying down, having a party, on vacation, on a bus, typing a blog, having alone time, the list goes on and on. As long as we’re breathing, we need to be listening to His voice and his prompting. Before you leave the house let God know you’re available. Love the person in front of you!! Whether it’s other Christians, family, friends, strangers, Muslims, Hindus, old people, young people, whoever is in front of you at the time, be open to the Spirit and love them the way He shows you how to. It may be just saying hi. It may be buying them food, it may be sharing the gospel, it could be praying for them, it could just be a head nod, loving people can also look like you calling out your Christian brother who needs it. Just be open and available to the Lord and He will show you!
But remember, the great commission is not possible for us if we’re not putting first the Greatest commandment, don’t try to love without His love, cause our love runs dry, our love is conditional, and our love cannot compare to the love we receive from our God!!
I know a lot of people are better at this than me, so pray for me in this! I know a lot of people need this too, so I can pray for you. With any challenge theirs gonna be failures, missed opportunities, and learning experiences, so lets make the most of them and live the most exciting and fun filled and fulfilling life anyone can. One led by the Spirit, one where we Love the person in front of us!!
Much Love to all!! Update coming soon!
Just as a side note, the word missionary fits into this same category for me. If you hear missionary we think of someone working for the kingdom overseas, but if you’re following Christ you’re a missionary. According to old Webster, a missionary is someone who is sent on a mission, or someone sent by a church to carry evangelism and other activities. Welp that sounds like a follower of Jesus to me, we’re all sent out to fulfill the Lords work where ever we’re at. I probably gotta get over this pet peeve but just really think about it. Same with someone going into “ministry”. It’s what we’re all doing people! No matter where you work, who for, what you do, we’re all on the same mission!! A little picky on my part, but just think bout it!
