24 February 2009
Whatever your Christian life looks like, whatever setting God's got you in - sometimes you just feel the need of a boost of energy to keep going.Since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart2 Corinthians 4:1
When the writer of this verse, Paul, talks about 'ministry' he's talking about the job every Christian on the planet has. The job, by the Spirit, of showing off the glory of Jesus to the world. As God transforms us more and more into the likeness of Jesus - in our actions, our attitudes and our mindset - we more and more reflect his glory.
That's the heart of ministry. There's no distinction here between those working full-time for churches, or those working full-time in normal jobs, or those retired, or those at school, or studying. All of life comes under the scope of our God-given ministry, because at all times, like walking light bulbs, we are shining out the glory of Christ in our lives.
This is an energy boost to keep going. Paul says 'we do not lose heart'. Why not? There's plenty of reasons to give up, to feel we make no impact among our unbelieving friends.
'Since through ...'. 'Since through comprehensive training'? 'Since through our abilities and talent'? 'Since through several years experience of being a Christian'? 'Since through having improved in being holy'? 'Since through my personality'?
'Since through God's mercy'. None of us stand as 'expert' ministers, 'professional' Christians. Because the expert team leader is God. It's his mercy that is the Lucozade for our daily Christian life.
When leading youth group feels like a burden, when standing up to preach seems weak, when you feel awkward in talking to your colleagues about Jesus, when you feel afraid of speaking to your close family about the Jesus they don't know... remember God's mercy.
His mercy in choosing you, his grace in saving you, and his love in giving you the task, as his team mate, of showing Jesus to others, so that the baton of mercy may be passed on. Don't lose heart.
That's the heart of ministry. There's no distinction here between those working full-time for churches, or those working full-time in normal jobs, or those retired, or those at school, or studying. All of life comes under the scope of our God-given ministry, because at all times, like walking light bulbs, we are shining out the glory of Christ in our lives.
This is an energy boost to keep going. Paul says 'we do not lose heart'. Why not? There's plenty of reasons to give up, to feel we make no impact among our unbelieving friends.
'Since through ...'. 'Since through comprehensive training'? 'Since through our abilities and talent'? 'Since through several years experience of being a Christian'? 'Since through having improved in being holy'? 'Since through my personality'?
'Since through God's mercy'. None of us stand as 'expert' ministers, 'professional' Christians. Because the expert team leader is God. It's his mercy that is the Lucozade for our daily Christian life.
When leading youth group feels like a burden, when standing up to preach seems weak, when you feel awkward in talking to your colleagues about Jesus, when you feel afraid of speaking to your close family about the Jesus they don't know... remember God's mercy.
His mercy in choosing you, his grace in saving you, and his love in giving you the task, as his team mate, of showing Jesus to others, so that the baton of mercy may be passed on. Don't lose heart.
