How do you confront something that can be right but is totally wrong? I look into the book of Matthew and I see Jesus sit with sinners. I see Him go into the houses of the imperfect and teach the rift-raft of society to carry His message. I look at the painting "Forgiven" and feel His arms around me but at the same time see those that love Him as well not show the same love.
I am sorry if this is coming out a little scattered but I am dealing with this in my own heart as I write every word. I try to understand the motives but are unable to. I read the Word, pray to the Lord, and fight the good fight but still I am troubled so let me put this as plain as I can. Ministry is not something that can be controlled by men. Ministry is something we do unto the Lord, in laymen's terms: We minister to the Lord. A great student of the Word once told me that ministry is our way of loving on the Lord. Like a child creating a masterpiece at school to give their parents that night so do we create our masterpiece to give to the Lord.
So why do I bring this up? Well...and here's the hard part...of late I have noticed that some believe that ministry is to be earned. To minister to Lord we must first meet a certain criteria. Let me be the first to say that this is not the case. We all minister in different ways, I reach out to the forgotten generation and long to introduce them to the Father. Others minister through the written word, music, art, and a vast array of other ways. At the same time that we minister we also have problems, struggle with sin, and stumble at times. At these low points, ministry is where we should turn, "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 Hope is proactive not apathetic, if we are to hope in the Lord that means we minister even when it seems we cannot. I urge any of you that are in leadership positions, do not take ministry away from the hurting, allow them to minister, allow them to love on God! I think I've said enough to all those who may be offended by these words I ask for forgiveness for the offense but not the words. If you disagree then please tell me why. To everyone, May God Bless you and Keep you, may everything you put your hands to be blessed.
