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ministry is messy


Have you heard that before?  Ministry is messy!  The longer I do this stuff the more I believe that and see that.  But ministry is worth the mess.  I'm learning that more and more along this path too.

I was reading a pastor's blog some time ago when he talked about a day in his life of being in the emergency room with someone who OD'ed, helping someone who was homeless, dealing with someone in addiction, leading someone to know Jesus and the list went on.  He said "ministry is messy".  I had seen it, but now I see it.

The Community has continued to step over the line into the so called mess.  I was helping a homeless person today find a place to stay when I get a phone call from another friend who was struggling greatly.  Not long before I talked with a lady whose life is falling apart.  So many stories.  But this is messy and this is ministry.  By the way, I have a heart for people who are in the mess.  Do you?  If you do, you might want to become a part of The Community.  I cannot believe all the stuff that God is doing!

Are we committed to getting our hands dirty by dealing with the people who are in a mess?  Some of us are in the mess.  Will we admit it and deal with it?

It is time to sound the call ... MINISTRY IS MESSY ... I'm willing to help people as God opens the door!

Psalm 72:4 (nlt) --- Help him to defend the poor,to rescue the children of the needy,and to crush their oppressors.

Proverbs 14:21 (nlt) --- It is a sin to belittle one's neighbor;blessed are those who help the poor.

Isaiah 58:7 (nlt) --- Share your food with the hungry,and give shelter to the homeless.Give clothes to those who need them,and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Matthew 10:42 (nlt) --- And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded."

Why should we do that?  What is going to make a difference?  I'm set to be part of people's lives who are in the mess of life because:

Matthew 25:40 (nlt) --- "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'

Psalm 46:1 (nlt) --- God is our refuge and strength,always ready to help in times of trouble.

My favorite truth that I want to live out so that I can be part of the fact that "ministry is messy" is this: my mission today is to be a broker for hope! (quote from David Foster; UPDATE -- Dr. David Foster passed away last week and was a great encourager of my life and work).

This POST is from the archives of Michael Harrison's E-Devotion originally shared on May 13, 2009.

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