This
has been a strange but good few weeks for ministry. I love, really love the people that I get to
work with. They are from every walk of
life and on every level or path or planet that you can imagine.
I am
dealing with several couples whose marriages are really struggling and for many
different reasons. God is working and
drawing some people closer to him in sweet ways. There is a lady battling severe medical
issues. Several people continue to
struggle with mental health issues. Late
Tuesday night during a horrible rainstorm I was honored to meet some new
friends that are homeless. This weekend
I will have the honor of officiating a wedding at one of the local country
clubs. From counseling to hospital
visits to benevolence and working with the homeless, this has and is a time
that I really love.
Every
day is full of surprises. My schedule is
often changed due to crisis or pain or tears or a number of things. Please understand that I am not complaining
but pointing out the fact that yesterday was not what I expected.
I sat
with a young man Wednesday morning that is struggling with addiction and a huge
desire to be clean. That was right after
I attended my daughter’s academic awards assembly on the last day of her middle
school career. This afternoon I got to
interview several homeless people in our community and went looking for others
in our area who are homeless. The day
ended with a counseling session and a trip to visit the hospital to see one of
our men from church.
But
this is not the only day that literally was not what I expected. The people that we get to deal with are
awesome. Most are not the normal Joe or
Jane that is part of the traditional church.
If you join us on Sunday or even another day of the week, you will find
what I am talking about. I recently
listened to several of our people tell their stories. I heard about a life of pain and on to how
they have experienced healing through God’s grace and finding acceptance.
That
is why life can be full of stress, questions and adventure, yet at the same
time life and ministry is satisfying and strong. We are blessed to be able to serve in places
some people will never see.
Are
you willing to step out of your comfort zone and allow your day to be not what
you expected? It’s not always easy. But it is always an adventure that is open
wide to seeing God work in my life and in the people around us
And you must show mercy tot
those whose faith is wavering. Rescue
others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still
others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their
lives.
“Ministry
is messy” – Gary Lamb
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