This blog is inspired by the most recent episode of What’s God Doing!
What counts as ministry?
Ministry can look like literally anything, because of our individual talents and giftings.
I would like to tell you about a ministry I am involved in.
I have been volunteering at our local Salvation Army. Today was sadly my last day for a while because I’m going to do a Discipleship Bible School at YWAM Orlando (this is also my last blog for a few months.) I have been going a couple time a week to help there; the funny thing is that as I am serving in their kitchen, they don’t realize they are ministering to me.
There have been a few times lately that I was just not having the best of days. I would begin to feel like I don’t want to go help because I was tired and moody, but I had a commitment that I wanted to honor. I would drive over, and the moments I walked through the door I would be greeted by people who have become my friends. They’d smile and joke with me as we prepared the food; we’d sing with the old music or worship music and it never failed to cheer me up. Then together we’d feed people in need and have the opportunity to give them a smile and greet them as friends, hopefully bringing some joy into their lives.
Sometimes we ourselves need ministering, and it sometimes comes from the people we think we are ministering to. It just goes to show that God really has our best interests in mind and wants us to thrive as a team and encourage each other.
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
I would like to challenge you to see the people who are ministering to you in a new way. Maybe they are in need of just as much encouragement as you are. They are giving out of their emptiness sometime and that means you can to. I often think of this verse:
Matthew 10:12-13b
12 When you enter the home, give it your blessing. 13 If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand;
Matt 44:43-46
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
So, minister and be a blessing to those right in front of you. I also encourage you to find one of those many blessings in the bible, memorize it and speak it over people. I believe blessing and honoring people has become lose in our western mindsets, and I think they are important to bring back. Let me know which blessing you think are cool to use!
Can making coffee be a ministry? Watch below to see why Cassy says YES!
