Corona Devo 619

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  ~2 Corinthians 3:18

Ministry is a unique and special animal. It can look a little wild and skittish in the beginning and then when you aren't watching or aware, God can turn it into something totally new and beautiful.

Ever been in a small group Bible study for church? Random couples or families gather a few times a month to snack and discuss God's Word. People that might not usually ever spend time together...do. Often it's a little wild and skittish in the beginning and then when you aren't watching or aware, God turns strangers into friends and more than that. The "differences" (from you) that these people had seem to dissolve, and the Lord turns once-acquaintances into totally new and beautiful sisters and brothers in Christ. That's ministry. And that is how God, in His love and mercy, transforms us as we contemplate His glory. (And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  ~2 Corinthians 3:18).

We hosted a group of teenagers the other day. If there is a unique and special time of life--it is the teenage years. Cute, awkward, becoming, unbecoming, uncertain: teens are a hybrid of both childhood and adulthood--trying to navigate the unknown (emotional/physical/spiritual) landscape in between both of those worlds.

But somewhere in the mix of silly laughter, awkward introductions, Bible study, pizza and ping pong, the wild and skittish turned into something totally new and beautiful. There was patience for those that needed it. There was acceptance for those seeking it. There was comfort from other teens which is a rarity in their stage of life. That's ministry. Real (teen) freedom comes when God opens their eyes to the truth (portrayed through an afternoon-gathering of safe-friends) that acceptance doesn't need to be based on status, money, popularity, deeds or any of our fleshly desires. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13).  

Ministry is being a uniter in a world that seeks to divide.  In school, at work, on the field, crowded on the sidelines, at the jobsite, in your texts and tweets and by refraining from them all together...That's ministry.  Choosing words-of-life in circles of criticism and "death" to others with opposing views is a unique and special animal. It can feel a little wild and skittish in the beginning, but when we aren't watching or aware, God can turn it into something totally new and beautiful. Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:1). Do not lose heart in our ministries of loving others for Him today.

It's the teacher who is led to host a Bible study for girls at school. Open invite, and only a few accept, but God will welcome them into a community of His truth, love and acceptance: three things that young girls are desperate for. What if a Godly woman took her time and invested it in them to share who God says they are before the world defines them instead? That's ministry. It can look a little wild and skittish in the beginning (teen and pre-teen girls are wild and skittish(!), and when we add God's call for purity and standards on to their lives, they can buck it like young foals, and many do) but what if, when you aren't watching or aware, God turns those young women into women-after-His-heart, into something totally new and beautiful, because of the investment that a teacher made into their lives? That's ministry. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5).

For Jesus’ sake, tap into the ministry that He lays before you today.  Who is your ministry?  What is your ministry?  It might be a person, it might be a group, it might be a place, it might be kindness, it might be generosity, it might be anything at all. 

How will you know your ministry? First of all, ask God. And then expect that it to be a unique and special animal. Expect it to look a little wild and skittish in the beginning and then when you aren't watching or aware, expect God to turn it into something totally new and beautiful.  That's ministry.

And the Lord needs us (to become involved) to make it happen.  Others need us to make it happen too.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”  ~Romans 10:13-15

Preach the good news!  That's ministry.


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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