Monday, June 6, 2016

Does our ministry ever change?

When I was praying about this next blog I was having a hard time coming up with the topic. I had several ideas but nothing was speaking clearly to me. i was thinking over the sermon from church yesterday, I was looking through my notes in my journal, and so on.  Then it came to me. There are times in our lives when we need to shift our focus, or change the aspect of our role in the Body.  We all are always called to be disciples and a vessel that God can use. But does that mean we do one specific thing forever. What has God called you to do?  
When I was thinking about this I began to recall the various ways God has used me throughout my lifetime. First let me say, the one thing that never changes is that we are to be in a personal relationship with God, read and study His Word, and obey Him. We need to make ourselves available to Him so that He can use us. This is always the same.  
Even though I have struggled with the spinal cord injury most of my adult life, I still knew God wanted to use me. I remember asking Him how could He use me. I am not a musician. I am not a singer. But I didn't have to be. I started in small ways, and so often I was reminded that every part of the ministry is important, no matter how small or how large. I was a door greeter.  I absolutely loved that. And I did that for several years. Then I became involved in the Creative Arts Ministry.  Again, I started off in a very small way.  Eventually acting, and even dancing.  Wow, talk about change. But I felt useful to God. And there were some other ways God chose to use me in. 
Then my spinal cord injury worsened. I had to stop all of those things that made me feel useful to God. I struggled with that.  I thought that God had truly called me to that ministry, why was it coming to an end? Because my mission was changing. 
I realized that God may want us to move on to something else.  He may want to use us in a different way.  So yes, I think our ministry may change at times. I am thankful for this. Without me being willing to be used by God in a different way, I would have been very lonely and unhappy.
So what has God given me at this time in my life as my ministry?  How does He want to use me?  You are seeing it right here.  The blogging. That's right, another unusual way that I could not see in myself. But God did, and more than that, He gives me the words to write, the stories to share.  I believe He is at work through this blog because I have made myself willing. 
So be encouraged, when one avenue closes, another opens up. He will use you if you are willing. All for God's glory. 


1 comment:

  1. Love your perspectives my friend! I will never forget how FUNNY you were, playing the digestive system in a play about the parts of the body (and parts of the Body) at church. It is a blessing to see you grow in your faith and your ministry as time goes on. Love you!

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