Now before you click away thinking, “Oh Ministry Mondays… Well that doesn’t apply to me; I’m not in the ministry,” take your hand off that mouse and think again. I’ll have you know little missy, or little mister, that Ministry Mondays has everything to do with you!
When I left a recent Living Proof Live event in Tucson, I was spiritually pumped up and charged. Beth Moore had delivered another great message and thousands of women had been inspired, challenged, and convicted. I walked out of the huge arena bumping shoulders with women from all over who had reaped the benefits of Beth’s huge ministry and we were returning to homes in approximately 35 states to put into action what we had learned.
But during the following week as I plodded along in my little ministry of mentoring MOPS moms, preparing my lessons for my women’s Bible studies, and writing this blog and the Bible study I’m trying to finish up, I felt the demon of comparison sitting on my shoulder. He was whispering nasty little thoughts of jealousy and resentment into my ear and making me feel like none of what I was doing would ever amount to a hill of beans.
Fortunately God intervened.
He didn’t choose to pat me on the head and say, “There, there, Kay,” but instead He opened my eyes to all the wonderful acts of service going on around me that, though small, have a huge impact. I saw people just like you and me being obedient to do what God has called them to do even though the work is hard, slow, and often unnoticed. Many of those folks would probably have looked at me with a blank stare if I’d said anything to them about their “ministry.” Like many of you, they probably don’t look at their work as ministry in the same vein as what their pastor or Beth Moore or Billy Graham or James Dobson do. But the truth is, if you’re passionate about something and you’re using your God given spiritual gifts to do it and you’re seeing God work in ways you can’t explain, then that’s your ministry.
I know men and women who minister to the homeless, the elderly, the sick, church visitors, young moms, teenagers, business men, college students, babies, ministers, missionaries, the disabled, grieving widows, and military families. And you think I’m talking about “other folks,” but the fact is, many of you who are reading this blog post are the ones I’m thinking of. I’m thinking of Andrea, Patty, Lezlee, Shelly, Kim, Michelle, Jerry, Louise, Beth, Stephanie, Susan, and many more of you.
I don’t think (though I’m not positively sure) that anyone who reads my blog has as “big” a ministry as Beth Moore does. And yet, when all is said and done, it very well may be that some of you are doing things that are ever bit as important and far-reaching and eternally significant as what that dear lady does.And I’m not trying to put her down or exalt you; I’m simply trying to help us all see that we do indeed have a ministry – a work that we do for the Lord as a service to His people or to those who are lost and that we do only by His strength and with His blessing.
And I know we all get discouraged, misdirected, frustrated, and baffled sometimes by the tasks God has given us to do. So that’s why I’ve decided to dedicate Mondays to simply talking about ministry. I promise to keep it on our level – no talk of grand programs or huge numbers or the newest methods. We’ll just be discussing things like how slow it goes, how rewarding it is, how to know when God is moving in a new direction, discovering your spiritual gifts, relying on His strength when yours is sapped, and the thrill of it all.
So I hope you’ll join me on Mondays as we do a little shop talk. Meanwhile, I’d love to hear from you. Would you do me the honor of letting me and other readers know about your ministry? Just leave a brief comment saying what act of service God has allowed you to do and given you such a passion for that you have come to the realization that “hey! This is my ministry!” Remember, it doesn’t have to be some formal church title. It can be “ministering to my neighbors” or “helping young moms learn the ropes” or “using my home to make others feel the love of God” or “praying for deployed soldiers and their families” or “taking meals to grieving families.” You name it. Anything God has given you to do for others and for Him counts.
Blessings, sweet minister. You have a rocking day!
Thanks for the reminder. I enjoy leading in youth ministry on Wednesday night. We have about 90 students and about 60 come from broken, dysfunctional homes where dad is in prison, mom lives with a different guy each week. No food, where basic neccessities are not met. But, what a delight to show them God's love and compassion and that with Him at the center of their lives, that lonely abandoned life can have purpose and passion. It's the kind of ministry that you have to get your hands really dirty, but it is so worth it. I was one of those students and in the late 70's youth leaders invested in me and they along with Jesus changed the course of my life. I praise God for men and women who took their "ministry" to youth seriously.
Sorry for the long comment.
Kay, thanks for this reminder! I am awestruck that God has given me the ministry of teaching and speaking. I teach several Bible sutdies weekly. I also am a speaker and do retreats. I asked God when my children were small to give me something I loved more than them, because the thought, at that time, of them leaving me someday was too much to bear. And God was so faithful to my little prayer. I love the word of God with such a passion!!!!!! And I just cann't help teaching it to everyone!
Also, I see my blog as a part of that ministry. Although quite secular in nature, it is the one on one connections that spring out of my blog that allow me to share my faith and my saviour, Jesus!
Thanks for this refreshing time.
Yvonne
I help to organize and lead our annual women's retreat. I occasionally lead a bible study during the retreats.
I enjoy encouraging others with notes, cards, phone calls, little gifts, meals, etc.
I bake bread and give it to others. My grandmother did that for many, many years, so I have tried to continue that tradition in honor and memory of her. (Her specialty was buttermilk rolls…mine is sourdough bread!)
I agree with Yvonne. My blog has been a place for ministry. I've had the opportunity to share my faith with some young women through my blog. What a blessing that has been for ME!
This is a great idea, Kay…now I'll actually look forward to Mondays! 😉
Hugs,
Beth
My NEW ministry is getting our new MOPS group up and running! I am SO excited about how God is going to work in and through our group to share the love of Jesus with Sierra Vista Mommies!
Along with that though, goes my ministry to my family, which is my TOP priority at this time in my life. Each and every time I wash laundry, cook a meal, vacuum, sweep, mop….the list goes on & on….I am ministering to my family. And I think we, as Moms, forget that that is a ministry! Sure, it is mundane, tedious, and boring from time to time, but I also know that one day I am going to look back and wish these days could be mine again…that my children could be babies again! I'm determined to NOT waste them while I have them! There will one day be time for what we sometimes consider "grander", "more glorious" ministries, but I'm going to enjoy the one I have for now….and do it with a smile!!
If I didn't view *all* my life as "ministry", then, I would seriously not be able to make it through the day sometimes. To me seeing all of life as a ministry makes living a new adventure.
I don't like to section out my life like a pie.I'm just weird like that. I think that I view life through this lens all the more because the meaninglessness of every day life apart from Christ is what drew me to Christ my soph year of college.I didn't have a reason to move forward until I discovered the abundant life full of purpose that Christ offers us.
I also feel very small after reading the first few comments. Women like these are great in God's kingdom. I think we will all be very surprised when we get to heaven that it wasn't necessarily the rich or famous…but ordinary women living ordinary lives… that makes God smile.
My ministry is "the preacher's wife", at a small church, in a rural area in northern NC. I'm convinced that I'm often intriduced like that because some folks don't rememebr my name, but that's okay! It's a title of honor to me. I try to take care of things on the home front so he is free to minister. I help out with the children's program on Wednesday nights (often w/o help) and sometimes with the wrong attitude!
My other big ministry in homeschooling my four children. That's a 24/7 job! One that I don't always remember is a ministry. But the Lord reminds me these are the furute church leaders and possessors of the faith! A mother's first mission field is her chidlren! 😉
My ministires make me tired A LOT and I often feel small, unnoticed and underapreciated, but then the Lord reminds me I'm doing it for Him, not them!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Amanda Garner in NC