Ministering in the Lord

Many a times when we think of ministry we tend to think of it in terms of evangelism, music, mission, youth etc. It is so easy to compartmentalize that to several hours a week of ministry or service rendered.

Last Sunday during our adult church school as we were discussing the topic of ministry, Ivan, our friend from Singapore raised a good question. He asked “ What is the scope of our ministry ?”

For me , ministry is 24/7 . It has no boundaries. We are to minister whether we are in church, at home, at work or in the community. That is how the love of God is spread. Whatever ministry we are called to do in church, or whatever field of work we may be in... we are to do everything as unto the Lord.

To minister effectively, we must spend time with God.... listening to Him. As we listen to Him, we will be able to have the knowledge and the strength as well as the boldness to minister. This is very important because at times when we are too consumed about doing good we end up doing what we think is good and sadly enough it could be the wrong move. Over eagerness could lead us to say or do the wrong things. It might make us insensitive to people's moods or feelings. In ministering , we must also learn to wait at His feet.

I remember once a visitor came to my school for an official visit. Oddly enough she began to share her personal life with me. There and then I heard the Lord said... “Tell her why I want her to wait , tell her the best is on the way. Tell it from a parental perspective”. I mustered up all my guts and told her and prayed for her. She cried and cried. This was a case of listening to God who gave the knowledge, the strength and the boldness to minister. But there was another time when I met another lady whom I did not get an opportunity to minister to until much later. Again it happened in my office. After a few visits I had an opportunity to pray for her and I was glad to have waited coz the timing was only right then and not before.

I wish I can say that I have ministered well in every occasion, but that is not the case. There is room still for much improvement. My prayer during this month of Lent , is that ... may our hearts be opened to His heartbeat, may our ears hear His voice and may our hands do His bidding . Let us move in the power of His presence so that wherever we may be, we are ministers of our heavenly King.