Ministry in Real Life

Recently, God released my heart to resign from ministry as a profession in order to remain in ministry as a lifestyle. So I am taking off my ministry mask to reveal a more realistic me. Now the truth can be told with each expression that crosses my face since I actually have a smile that not only looks less plastic, but also feels less perfect. So when ministry in real life gets messy, I can better reach the bruised and brokenhearted. After all, I cannot get deep in the dirt if my heart is clothed in khaki, but I can clothe my heart with the comfort of an old cut off pair of jeans and dig deeper for all of you to see all of me.

"For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland (Isaiah 43:19)."

How do you do ministry in real life?

Counting Blessings

The call to live simply comes from a heart that loves deeply. This Thanksgiving let's count our blessings, not in the same way we count days on a calendar or money in our pockets, but in the way we count answered prayers and priceless relationships. I believe that in doing so we will be able to gage whether or not we are living simply or simply living.

What truly matters most to you this holiday season?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
-Jesus (Matthew 5:3-10)

Overcome

Hard times can produce hard hearts. And dreams can wilt like flowers scorned by the sun. The pressures of this life can drive us to extremes; the loss of a life, the loss of a career, the loss of a hope and a future.

But what if the Author of all life pens that there is still more to the story? Even though there is conflict, there can still be resolution.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -Jesus Christ (John 16:33)

Lost & Found

I carried an ace in my pocket and a dollar in my hand before ever holding Jesus in my heart. And I once looked for any way to label myself lucky, but now I call myself loved. The time just came when the things I wanted to carry could not carry me. Either time ran out or promises fell short. So when I lost the things this world had to offer, I found the One who could offer me more than just the world.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."
-Psalm 20:7

Making Plans

One thing I've learned is that life is not always about seizing just any opportunity, but it's about seizing the right opportunity. And often times little opportunities lead to larger endeavors. So I make my plans, knowing the master plan has already been made for me. But on the days when there are too many pieces to pull together to form that bigger picture, I start obsessing over feeling productive and perfect, until the Lord reminds me to stop hanging on my every endeavor and start hanging on his every word. Then in that moment, I know that all I can do is really the best thing I can do: pray. "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." -Proverbs 16:3

Unchanging

Sometimes I feel myself slipping through the cracks like part of me is not solid, but liquid, ever conforming to that which holds me. So if I am held by the hands of God, then I can remain still, for his hands are unchanging.

I however am changing.

Sometimes I let myself fall into the hands of a stranger, whether it be a difficult circumstance or a funky state of mind. Yet I always manage to slip through those fingers.

And still fall right back into the unchanging hands.

Thank you God for staying the same, even when I do not. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
-Hebrews 13:8

Storms

No matter what part of the world we call home, we all experience storms at one time or another. But it's the way we respond to these storms that seems to say a lot about who we are. There are some who chase storms. They anticipate when a storm could threat, and when a monster of a storm builds, they grab their cameras to hunt this natural phenomenon. These storm chasers anxiously seek opportunities to capture the glory of untamed elements. Then there are some who shrink away from storms. If they do not evacuate, they go to great lengths to take the right precautions by installing hurricane-proof windows on their homes, and by stocking their pantries with enough food, water and batteries to carry them through to safety. But altogether different from these two types of people are those who do not chase and those who do not prepare. They believe that storms are too temperamental to predict who will experience harm and who will go untouched, so they do nothing.

Where do you stand? Do you chase storms or do you let them chase you?

In Matthew 8:23-27 we read about how Jesus can not only calm such storms, but he can also calm the storms that brew inside our hearts; "Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!' Jesus responded, 'Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!' Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. 'Who is this man?' they asked. 'Even the winds and waves obey him!'”