Highly Favored

When I heard the word “ministry” I used to think it was something that only a pastor or reverend had the authority to do. I thought ministering was synonymous with preaching a sermon. What I’ve learned of course, is that ministering means ‘to serve other believers’ to do something for another person that will help them or make their lives better for it. When it’s applied to unbelievers, it’s called missionary work.

If this is the case that means anyone who has a heart to serve can minister. And ministry is more than evangelizing or sharing the Word. Ministry can be anything you choose to do for others. Anything you do humbly and out of self-lessness. If you decide to volunteer to clean the church’s restroom – that’s ministry: Janitorial ministry. If you choose to be the church’s cameraman – that’s ministry: audio/visual ministry.

So how do you know which ministry is right for you?

When I first joined my church, I attempted the sing in the choir. The only problem, I don’t sing very well and it didn’t feel natural to me. I knew it was important to be active in the church, but it really felt awkward and I didn’t enjoy it. So eventually I quit.

I was still active and helped out where I could, but it wasn’t until I was asked to start the church newsletter, that I finally felt like I was doing something that was right for me. I’m passionate about writing and it feels good to create something that other church members will read and enjoy – I knew I’d found my ministry.

Then recently, I joined the new mime ministry, and I must say that this is a ministry that allows me to not only minister to others but to myself. It’s hard to really explain what the mime ministry does. I guess we evoke emotions and set the atmosphere for the Pastor’s message. We cause people to think about songs in a deeper way that allows God to speak to their hearts – that’s the best that I can explain it.

I know this ministry is right for me because I don’t even feel like myself when I put the white paint on my face, I feel a positive energy flowing through me and it’s an inexplicable feeling. That’s the gift of passion that God gives us when we’re doing what He called us to do. He anoints us and allows us to do things we are incapable of doing otherwise without Him. Just yesterday, I was so tired before I got to practice, I was exhausted and really didn’t feel like it, but by the time I left, I felt revived and energized.

That’s how you know when you’ve found your ministry, it’s the joyful feeling in your heart that allows you to work and give your best without care of receiving any pay.
If you haven’t found your ministry, there’s one for you – there may actually be more than one. Look to the God-given gifts you have within you and start there.

If you haven’t found a church to even begin the process of finding a ministry, I encourage you to pray about it, and then ask yourself a question – are you going to do your will or God’s? Then make a choice that includes visiting a church on Sunday. Go and then discover what you can do to help – that’s the first step in finding your ministry.

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