What’s My Ministry?

My husband recently had a young man ask him, “What’s my ministry?” 

You see, the young man has had a hard few years. His body is covered in tattoos he received in prison, his record shows years of rebellion and in the eyes of some, he might seem beyond hope.

But as he shared a picture of his Bible on social media and he confessed to getting back to his roots of loving Jesus, it touched my husband enough for him to send an encouraging message to this young man.

“You’re going to touch people with your ministry.” David said. And almost immediately the young man replied, “What’s my ministry?”

“Your ministry is testifying to what the Lord had done in your life; the changes you’ve made because of Him and the way you’re living right now.”

“Wow,” was all he could say. 

He probably thought he would never make a difference in anyone’s life again, because he was a broken, tainted human.

But that’s not the way Jesus works!

In The Life of Jesus (Harmonized Gospel Edition), after Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, the woman testified to her fellow townsmen that she had met Jesus, and “he told me everything I ever did!”

The fact that she had five husbands and was living with the sixth, was no surprise to Jesus. He knew her well and yet, still found her valuable enough to change her life. 

But her encounter with Jesus wasn’t just for her, to sooth her conscience or set her on a better path. No! It was for all of those she would testify to, who were just as lost; just as human in their failings. 

By one woman’s testimony…”There were many from the Samaritan village who became believers in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony.”

We talk a lot about purpose these days, and many strive to figure out just what they were created to do.  But, what if we were just meant to live godly lives, doing the work God has called us to do on a daily basis, while testifying to those around us about our encounters with Jesus?

What would that look like?

Honestly, I miss the days in the church, when people would stand up and give testimonies about how God had worked in their lives that week. We don’t hear the real life stories enough.

So, if you’ve been struggling to “find your purpose,” just know, your ministry is right in front of you every day.  

Do the work Jesus has set before you – the place, the people, the tasks that seem monotonous – but don’t forget to share your stories with others.

Because in the seemingly normal moments, when you feel God’s presence or even in the huge moments, when you know you’ve been rescued, there are testimonies that can change someone else’s life too.

That’s what your ministry is, in case you were wondering.

Until Next Time…..

Blessings!