Ministry Interrupted
So I have sat down six times to write this devotion. Things just keep jumping in the way.
A hospitalized member.
A new ministry.
Someone that needs to talk.
Holiday planning.
A child that needed to talk.
A “I’ll do it later” and I fell asleep
One of the things I remember being told early in my training to be a pastor is this simple line.
Ministry is what goes on around you while you are planning.
That’s not to say you should never plan and be organized, but sometimes, all those things that pop up in your life… things you are quick to label distractions…are ministry.
A ministry to a friend.
A ministry to the community.
A ministry to a brother or sister in Christ
Formal ministry
Family ministry
Self ministry
This a season where we are often to busy, and when we get busy things often do not go according to schedule. I want to remind you today that that is alright. God works through interrupted schedules.
After all, one of the biggest announcements in history started with an interruption…
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary…..”
Jesus is the reason for the season….every season.
Every moment of your life.
Every interruption.
God reaches into our lives to interrupt our well laid plans and give to us opportunities. I wonder how many of my frustrations and side tracks have been divinely placed? How many have been opportunities to develop to develop a grace filled and patient heart? How many times has the preaching of the Gospel to another been what my heart needed as well?
So with all of that being said, perhaps I should apologize for how short this devotion is….or did God just free up time for you to go do ministry…..
He knows.
See you Sunday,
-Pastor Dan