Colossians 3:23
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Do you wear a ministry hat?
I used to. I used to go to work and be myself and if the situation arose to witness or minister it was awkward trying to slip on that "Ministry Hat", because everyone had seen me as me. I felt awkward playing the role of a christian after spending a whole lot of time being plain ol', silly ol' me.
I don't know when the Lord first convicted me over this, but it is my life now. I no longer "have opportunities to minister," my life is my ministry. I don't put on a ministry hat. I pray that every word spoken, every action taken will be Glorifying and pointing to God. Do I still slip into the "Old Skin" from time to time. Yes! I definitely struggle with it when my 2 or 4 year old says for the thousandth time "I'm Hungry. I'm Thirsty. I'm not sleepy."
When my life is not about me, I'm not so easily inconvenienced. My house is not my own, we have been blessed by God to have it and we will use it to HIS Glory alone. My time is not my own. My sleep is not my own. Even on days I am rushed at the store, it's not about me.
2 Tim 4:2
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction
Whether I am speaking to a child, the President of the United States or even my own Pastor, I see it as my ministry. My ministry is to be ready in season and out of season to share and encourage in the name of Christ. To show the Love of Christ, and to be the hands and feet of Christ. Not when it's convenient, looks like a good time or practical but NOW!
Galatians 1:10
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
As I write this, despite the deep conviction and how much I desperately try to fulfill and live this out; I see so often how I fail. I don't want to write this and make it look like a heavy burden. It's not. I'm a Mess Up, but it's a really cool journey, and one I am grateful that the Father has placed me on.
I do however, encourage you to Pray for the eyes of Christ as you walk through your day.
I do however, encourage you to Pray for the eyes of Christ as you walk through your day.
Pray for the Lord to show you areas in your life that you have a hard time letting Him Lord over, and pray that he will remove the idol of convenience from your grip.
His Clay~
Linked With:
Linked With:
Amen!!! We should never have to change our 'hats' to minister or worship. Our life should be a ministry. Our life should be a life of worship. Excellent encouragement!!
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa - what a practical post. It is so true that we should be on call all the time to be witnesses for Christ. Everything I do should be a witness. That is my goal, one I'm working on and failing often. But I keep keeping on.
ReplyDeleteGreat post
God bless
Tracy
So beautifully written, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI desire my life to be a witness to the transforming power of Christ -- no hat required.
ReplyDeleteLovely post.
This really spoke to me, Melissa, "I no longer "have opportunities to minister," my life is my ministry." What a great way (and I believe the right way) to look at it. Thanks for this great encouragement!
ReplyDeleteI am a "mess-up" too and I want my life to be a ministry to Him. I love the 2 Timothy verse and what you said... "To show the Love of Christ, and to be the hands and feet of Christ. Not when it's convenient, looks like a good time or practical but NOW!" Great post Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across your blog by "accident", but I believe God had plan for me to read this today. You put into words my feelings recently. I'm definitely a "mess-up" but I want to pull myself together and live my life as a ministry. Thanks so much for this post!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from SDG - where I wrote about how God has been after me with Colossians 3:23 . . . here you are part of that plan! Love what you've written and the image of a hat. I don't want a hat; I want the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I sure am a mess-up! IF only you were a fly on my wall today...thank you for this encouragement to keep on living life as a ministry!
ReplyDelete