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Ministry... It has known various forms in my lifetime thus
far. Youth ministry, women’s ministry, children’s ministry, writing ministry, Bible study leader, etc.
But aside from all the descriptive titles and positions
held, isn’t LIFE just…ministry?
Life-ministry?
It’s all encompassing.
And it speaks truth more than words written or words spoken
or name plaques sitting on desks.
Actions really do speak louder than words (Some clichés are
worthy of repeating.)
This life-ministry of mine, of yours, has a message.
What is my life-message?
Is it the words I write, the words I speak, the words I live? Are they the
same?
When I share Proverbs 15:1 with my children do my actions
confirm my message?
When I encourage others to keep going when the job feels too big, do I take those words for myself?
When I write of putting our hope in God instead of other things, do I?
Do I live as though in all things God really does work for my good?
True belief
birthed on the inside is lived on the outside.
At church.
At home.
In Wal-Mart.
This morning, Dennis Rainey shared great wisdom on the radio. "We cannot lie and then demand truth from our children (or anyone else). We cannot cheat and then discipline the cheater."
This morning, Dennis Rainey shared great wisdom on the radio. "We cannot lie and then demand truth from our children (or anyone else). We cannot cheat and then discipline the cheater."
Ministry is not separate from life. It is life.
Christianity is not lived in the
church. It is lived.
What is YOUR life message?**********
Photo credit: Flickr creative commons - lhar
Posts
14 friends had this to say:
At church. At home. At Wal-Mart.
Okay, that made me smile. :)
What is my life message? It's fascinating you ask that question, I just read the same question in my devotional last week, and I've been pondering it ever since. It's a great question.
(On another note, I'm registered for She Speaks! So excited to go. And so excited to meet you in person!) :)
Sooooo excited you are going to She Speaks! It will be awesome to meet you in person and hopefully get to spend some time together! :)
I have to agree with Denise. This to made me smile! I love this post and I am blessed to have you as my friend! ( yes I am asking my self that very same question) :)
xoxo
Stacey
It must be the day to hear this message. I listened to an online sermon today, where the challenge was very similar. 'You are not defined by your ministry. You are defined by who you are in God, and there is no on/off in that, as there may be with ministries we like to tag. Beautiful post, Shelly. xx
Hi Shelly!
I loved the simple but powerful message in your post! Keep living it girl! -Blessings, Amy
p.s. I'm getting ready to register for She Speaks too, I've never been before!
Stacey...I am blessed to be YOUR friend!! :)
Dot...Thanks for stopping by for a visit today :) You're right...there is no on/off button. We are defined by who God says we are...which is why it's so vital we know what His word says about us.
Happy Weekend in Australia, my friend! :)
Amy, thanks for stopping by today! I am so excited you have signed up for She Speaks! We have to make plans to meet in person and have breakfast, lunch, or dinner together (or all 3!)! :)
Shelly. This is a great post. So often we separate what is "ministry" and what is "not." I have a friend who has a passion for her secular job. She calls it her ministry and she's an example to me.
My life message is that God created us each uniquely and that He loves us unconditionally. Really. loves. us.
Thank you, Olive. If everyone viewed their jobs as ministry as your friend does, can you imagine the impact we could make on this world?
I, too, am so grateful for His undconditional, unending love. :)
One of the great mistakes of Christianity has been the professionalizing (a word?) of "the ministry." We are all ministers of the new covenant, not just those who are "ordained." That separation of ministers and clergy has crippled the work, ministry, service and even image of Christ's body. Great post to help us realize that all of us are in ministry all the time.
nice post looking for to visit more thanks for sharing blessings...
Warren, I agree...this separation has certainly crippled and minimized effective "ministry" or at least caused resistance and skepticism of the Word being preached.
@a little of me....thank you! And thanks for stopping by. It's great to meet new friends :)
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