The Ministry of Your Heart

I wrote this back in June 2008...I really enjoy looking back and reading what I wrote and comparing that to where I am now.  I hope you enjoy this as well. 

-1 Thessalonians 2:19-20-

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?  Is it not you?  Indeed, you are our glory and joy. 

I believe that God has planted within each and every one of us a passion and a love.  There are many things we desire to do in life, but there is something that simply tugs at the heart of a child of God.  For some people it is the ministry of compassion, for others it is the ministry of teaching, and still others simply love to serve without being seen.  We all have a ministry that we will take part in no matter how much or little free time we have to give.  My point here is simply to pose a couple questions: 

First, what is the ministry of your heart?  The ministry of Paul’s heart was the spread of the gospel and the souls of those he came into contact with.  What is that one thing you cannot say “No” to; not because of who is asking, but because of what is being asked of you?  It is possible that you may not know yet and that is okay.  It can take time to understand what really “fuels your fire.”  Take some time to think about this question: what is the ministry of your heart?  To help you understand maybe you need to ask these questions: What stirs your emotions faster and bigger than anything else?  Where do your passions lie?  What gets you really excited?  What is the one thing you would do to better this world if money and resources were non-issues?  These and other questions like these may help you to find the “ministry of your heart”.  Pray that God would reveal this to you in the days to come. 

Second, what are you doing about that ministry?  Many times in church we get comfortable enjoying the food we are fed in the Worship Service, in Sunday School, in Small Group, etc; we enjoy the fellowship that we have with others during those times as well.  The problem is we often forget about the hours of service that goes into making those times of Worship, Learning, and Fellowship happen.  If you have a cause or a purpose tugging at your heart, if you feel the Holy Spirit prodding you to join a ministry; don’t hesitate!!  If there is a ministry you want to serve, please find someone in that ministry and make that desire known.  If you simply want to serve, but don’t know where God has called you to; make that desire known to your church leadership.  They can try to help you find your place of service. 

There is always room for more servants in the church, where will you serve; who or what will be your glory when Jesus returns?  Find a place to serve, jump in with all your heart, and God will reward you much more richly than you could ever imagine.