Everything Is Ministry
Everything a believer does is a ministry opportunity, from the most mundane and trivial things to the big, wonderful projects we all hope to be a part of.
Nothing in our lives is an accident. Our ministry follows us wherever we go.
You don’t have to be a minister, pastor, or bishop to be called into ministry, either.
Gifts Show Us What We’re Meant to Do
The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible). Vocation and ministry go hand in hand with each other. I suggest an incredible book by Gordon T. Smith called Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential (1) to find what it is the Father has called you to do with your limited time on planet Earth. In Courage and Calling Gordon T. Smith helps the reader find their strengths and how to best serve the body of Christ using those strengths.
Yahweh often uses the gifts He places inside of us to show us our intended path. And along the same line, He often stops our progress (in a good way), so we don’t take a right when we’re supposed to take a left.
In my personal life, I have seen this form of divine redirection firsthand. I spent many years training myself to become a military pilot. However, I became sick with a permanent disease, and now I can never fly those wonderful supersonic birds of metal and awe. Does this upset me? It did at first, but Yahweh was nudging me in a different direction. Being unable to serve your country doesn’t mean you can’t serve in other ways.
That closed door isn’t a rejection, it’s only a redirection to the best part of your life. The innate gift that God blessed me with is writing, and it’s the thing I’ve always excelled at. I’m not the best wordsmith in history, but I’m working on my craft every single day so I can put forth my best efforts.
God doesn’t give us our gifts to stagnate them and leave them idle.
He gives them to us to bless this world with what it needs.
And, sometimes, He gives us things we never thought we needed.
The Ministry of Social Media
How we conduct ourselves online is a matter of immense importance. Social media isn’t going away. It’s here to stay. And I’ve seen many of those who claim to follow Christ act like the rest of the world on social media.
And I have a confession to make. I’ve done the same thing. My sphere is writing novels and writing for God’s glory in other ways. I told myself to always be mindful of how I’m standing for Christ online.
I’ve debated politics, social issues, and theology with other Christians, to the detriment of everyone involved. Self-deprecation comes easier to me now than it did even a few months ago. So, I’m not ashamed to admit my faults here, and I still slip up from time to time.
I meant my social media for progressing the gospel through my gift. Not arguing about the shape of the Earth, why certain Bible verses don’t mean what someone thinks, or even agreeing with others on some crusade.
The truth is social media is a gift in itself. Not in the sense of talent or ability, but a present from on high. I’m sure the enemy uses it to his benefit, likely often. But God can use Christians as His hands through social media. Since my gift is writing, I favor Twitter (sorry, X) over other platforms.
But speaking as an author who received a gift to minister through writing, I must expand and join other platforms instead of favoring one.
My point is we shouldn’t limit ourselves to meaningless fights and one space alone. The Almighty needs to take ground in all areas.
How do people perceive you on social media?
Are you argumentative?
Must you be right at all costs?
Christ will judge us for every word and deed we have ever spoken and done in this life, and that includes the keystrokes you post online. Perhaps it’s time to assess ourselves and see if we’re making Christ look bad.
I’m just as guilty as anyone else here. We all fall short. While not perfect, we strive to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6 KJ21).
Social media is ministry. Use it.
Work Is Ministry
Our workplaces are also a ministry opportunity, less so in an employment environment due to proselytizing laws, but even there with all that red tape, our example can be useful.
An employee can’t try to convert at work. They can lead by example and work as unto the LORD, causing a stir within others who must figure out how God favors that person and causes people to be honest and hardworking using His principles.
I’m not fond of employment when entrepreneurship and faith is the better path, but I’ve had great conversations at work with coworkers about Christ, at least carefully. The taskmaster doesn’t like religion in a secular environment, but we do what we can.
As an entrepreneur, a believer has the power to minister because they own the business. One can place a scripture on a mug to sell, or place daily devotionals in the lobby for customers to see if they so choose. We don’t force our beliefs; we live them and give the free choice for others to follow suit.
Work is one of the greatest opportunities for ministry.
I Mean Everything
We’ve covered gifts, social media, and workplaces as avenues to advance the gospel of our Savior. But if you ponder upon it, every part of life is a call to ministry, a call to the higher standards of the Messiah.
Take the example of a barista screwing up your order to start with. Then she spills the coffee on you, too, which you’re allergic to because she used regular milk. When you wipe yourself off, she trips on the spill and knocks you down to the ground. And you’ve had a terrible morning so far. You’re in a bad spot, seething because the world turned on its axis wrong. It wasn’t just the side of the bed. This situation cements that notion.
Do you blow up? Get irate?
Instead of getting sassy and harassing the employee, the better path is to forgive and allow them to fix their mistake. I’ve seen many people who fill with rage when customer service fails. I know it can be rough when you’re spending hard-earned money on something you’re looking forward to. But the fact is, they’re human beings too.
Maybe the world spun wrong for them the same way it did you.
Ridiculous example aside, the point is a calm demeanor and a simple “Don’t worry about it. May the LORD bless you today.” This itself is ministry. You’re not being preachy; you’re living it out and showing them what being a Christian means.
All Things Are in His Hands
God’s providence is paramount to ministry.
Everything that happens to us in our daily lives is by the providence of God. That basement flood happened because of heavy rain, but also because the disaster restoration crew needed provisions to continue in their own lives.
Perhaps the supervisor needed an emergency call to deposit overtime money into the bank because of his dying mother in hospice.
Think about it. That’s how God would look at things, isn’t it? He is sovereign over all things that happen, from the flutter of a butterfly wing to the hurricanes decimating the coast.
Therefore, everything we do is ministry. Because of God’s powerful providence, every person we meet is a chance to affect the kingdom, as well as the lives of others.
Everything in this life is ministry.
