iShineInMinistry

Romans 12:12 (ESV)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

While we may not have the opportunity to do some of the more tangible ministry that we have come to grow used to, we must not forget the ministry of prayer, the reminder to rejoice and bring hope and practice patience as God grows our character in this season.

There are so many needs that can be prayed for, and not just in the ministries where you serve. Let’s be mindful of the ways we can share hope with those in need, love our neighbors as ourselves and be constant in prayer during this time.

Blessings, Hearts and Hugs!

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I remember when teen girls and other friends used to talk to me about their desire to work in full-time ministry or how they felt certain they were meant to be a pastor’s wife. Now, as a person that has worked in full-time ministry and worked for a senior pastor…I must say, these starry eyed girls were often glamorizing the perception of what they thought these positions meant. Visions of marrying at age 20 and being seen as someone to look up to spiritually as well as being able to work at a church instead of in the world do sound so much easier…on paper. However, there are three very important things to consider here. First, ministry is a calling, not an opportunity to be a different type of influencer, sans the Instagram handle. Second, working in ministry at a church or para-church organization does not exempt you from having to walk through tough situations, because…well, church is made up of humans and humans have sin natures. Finally, and most importantly, everything that you do is an act of worship and a ministry if you are looking with the right eyes!

Prior to working at a church, I worked in the nonprofit sector and many of the people I interacted with were terminally ill or had terminally ill children. Talk about difficult things. Also, talk about an opportunity to minister. That was an incredible place to be the hands and feet of Jesus, let me tell you. Spending time with families and serving them. Making sure to work extra hard to meet your fundraising goal as you did all to the glory of God and also made money appear to help fund the purchase of wheelchairs and research. Being a shoulder to cry on as coworkers walked through uncertain circumstances that made them quite discouraged and letting them know you are praying for them. Inviting friends to church to see that many years later they are actually walking with the Lord after that altar call 10+ years ago. Sitting with a family that has lost their son before he made it to his 24th birthday. If this was not a ministry I do not know what is!

While we may not always be in the four walls of a chapel or in the offices of a para-church organization, we are all called to shine in ministry and bring glory to His name. So, as we are the ones that work in these specific places, let's remind those that we minister to and counsel that they too are in full-time ministry whether at work, in their homes or while sitting in traffic on the way home from a long day. We are all called in some way shape or form, let’s all walk in that calling and encourage those around us in theirs as we all shine for Jesus!

PS - this is especially important now with social distancing. We get to be creative as we minister through phone calls, texts, Gchat, Facetime, social media, snail mail and other avenues we can find ways to encourage and be a light during this uncertain time where people really need the love of Jesus!

Thank You Lord for the opportunity to faithfully and joyfully serve You during this time of year and find our hope in You, as You do not disappoint. Thanks You for Your lovingkindness, Your faithfulness, and Your desire to have ALL saved and come to the knowledge of Your Son to receive Him as Savior. Please go before us this season and prepare the way, as well as our hearts.

May we walk in grace, mercy, compassion, truth and unrestrained, unrestricted love that is pure, sincere, genuine and true. May we see those in need as made in Your image. May we shoulder the burden and walk in truth. May we be humble in all that we do. May we shine for you in this world that is so that people will see our good works that are truly good and glorify You. May we not only do the “pretty things” that will provide us warm fuzzies or accolades, but also do the hard, dirty things that truly show how much You love this world…and do them even when no one sees, because You are the God who sees.

Let us entertain angels without knowing it, but not let the right hand see what the left hand is doing. Lord, help us to fully walk in truth and be what You have called us to be, during this season and always. We love You and praise You…and thank You for all that You continue to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life. - Psalm 42:8

Is anyone else an insomniac or is it just me? I really have a hard time unwinding at the end of the day and getting rid of all of my energy in time to go to sleep. I usually try to do an intense work out 6 days a week and walk at least 10,000 steps for this very purpose. Most of the time, I honestly feel like a toddler that needs to run around all day, then crash…but not until midnight. I have noticed, however, that as I complete my bedtime routine, it helps to do my “nighty night” devotions, journal and have some instrumental worship music or hymns playing to calm myself down. This helps me remember what the words of this psalm tells me.

The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime as He protects me and gets me through each day. Then at night as I relax and get ready for bed, His song is literally with me, telling me to calm down and go to bed! I need that reminder. I need it in the daytime, when I feel like there are too many moving parts and not enough hours in the day. I need it after lunch when my tea wares off and I am starting to get a little drained. I need His song in the night to calm my mind and help my thoughts subside so that I can rest in Him and be ready for another day. I need this to be written on the tablet of my heart so that when I am at a loss, it will bubble up in my thoughts and remind me Who is in control in every moment of every day.

How will you remember this psalm throughout your day so that you can live in peace and in the fullness of trusting the Lord?

 

So, it is officially the end of the year and our 365 days of great expectations is closing out. I hope that you had an amazing season with the Lord, learned more about His character, grew in your faith and trusted Him even more, having an excited and expectant heart for all of His wonderful plans. This year we also had a great journey with the single ladies praying every Sunday evening. Through all of the wonderful occurrences, times of prayer and fantastic experiences God was faithful to show up many times. I hope you learned a great deal about your relationship with the Lord and an abundant amount of new information about yourself. Here is what I learned.

 

1) God’s sovereign plan is amazing and it doesn’t matter how long “it” takes to get to the desire of your heart.

Many ladies joined me on a weekly prayer for our future husbands and two ladies actually got engaged this year! Some of the girls were able to start new jobs or go on new adventures with God’s provision and timing or do a myriad of other fantastic things. Some of us may have not gotten to get to the “finish line” with very specific areas of our lives, but that does not discount all of the other wonderful things that took place in 2017. Please take note of 10-25 lovely moments and memories from the year (perhaps one from each month) and thank the Lord for His perfect plan.

 

2) Sometimes by asking for something you want, you stumble upon the realization that you really do not want it after all, because it may not be God’s will.

As we draw closer to God, He begins to show us that He really is all that we need. Even through frustration, tears, heartache, sadness, discouragement and despair God will use things, circumstances, people and other seemingly inanimate things to bring us to the truth that God is our all in all. Sometimes it takes everything else getting taken away to see that…or sometimes we have the “aha” moment before we get to that point. Either way, that is a great place to be in!

 

3) Every single day is an opportunity to find joy, hope and greatness.

When you are truly trusting in the Lord, everything can come up roses because we know that God is in the details, whether or not we understand. God can stretch us, allow certain instances to happen or maneuver our lives in such a way that we will have to cling to His promises and choose joy in storms and hard times. When this happens, it gives us the upper hand over the enemy. He will not be able to throw anything at us that will thwart our faith or make our trust in God falter. Even as chaos ensues, we can find joy; not be in denial, but truly chose to be joyful and thankful in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus!

 

4) Life is shorter than we think – make sure to tell people you love them!

Be a kind friend, a loving family member, a fabulous coworker, a listening ear, a prayer partner, a confidant, a genuine fixture in someone’s life. Be someone that reminds people that kindness still exists. Do it through God’s power and not your own strength. Do it without ulterior motives, do it without expecting something in return. Have the heart to be the hands and feet of Jesus and do all to His glory. Let your love abound so much that the overflow is a blessing to all those who encounter you!

 

I hope that you were able to find joy in this year even in the midst of all the mayhem; the sadness, heartache and craziness that we have seen take place over this year. I know that sometimes it can be hard to look for the joy in the middle of hurt, but don’t let your heart get stuck in the pit of despair. As we get ready for 2018, let’s start the year off right…with prayer! And if you need prayer for anything specific, please do message me. Have a wonderfully blessed New Year!