By John Grant
The Bible teaches that every Christian is:
Created for ministry (Ephesians 2:10)
Saved for ministry (2 Timothy 1:9)
Called into ministry (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Gifted for ministry (1 Peter 4:10)
Authorized for ministry (Matthew 28:18-20)
Commanded to minister (Matthew 20:26-28)
Prepared for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Needed for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Accountable for and rewarded according to his or her ministry (Colossians 3:23-24)
This means ordinary people with children and jobs and mortgages and really, really full calendars. In other words, people just like you and me are called to be ministers from God. What does this mean? God shaped you for ministry. The God of the universe shaped you uniquely to make a contribution in this world and the world to come. God will support you in ministry.
There is no way you can fail in your mission unless you fail to accept the calling of ministry that comes with being a Jesus-one. God will answer your questions. Ask God how he wants you to contribute. Ask him how he wants to use the way he’s created you to uniquely serve him. Ask God, “What kind of God-legacy do you want me to leave?” Thank God you are among the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you.
Too often we think of ministry as a vocation or profession. I thank God for those called to the pulpit ministry, but ministry is not how you earn a living, but rather how you serve the Lord. No one would question that Paul was in the ministry, but he was a layman who was a tent-maker by profession
If you have accepted the calling of Christ on your life and given your heart to Him, you are called to ministry. It can be within your church or out in the community, but ministry is an essential ingredient and a defined calling in the life of any Christian. Take time today to listen to God, define your role in ministry and then go do it. It is a part of our Christian DNA.
(a thought on life from John Grant)
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog/2012/12/01/jg_you-were-chosen-for-ministry/