This Season is About Ministry
Following God’s lead, looks like this for me here in Tulsa. I’m back on a “ministry” call to help my husband’s sister and her husband, Karen and George, in the care of Mom (my mother-in-law). Last night I called us “The Three Musketeers” – all for one; one for all! All three of us were up with Mom in the night. Karen is the “lead” musketeer. Oh, how tender, patient, and loving she is as mom is no longer the mom that ministered to us. She needs 24/7 care.
I don’t call it a “duty” call, because a “duty” call sounds like an obligation. A “ministry” call is an honor and an important mission to serve. I know that “ministry” typically has a vocational meaning (pastors, ministers, missionaries, priests, etc.). But when we serve others, we are serving right alongside the greatest servant of all, our Lord Jesus Christ. He set the example for what ministry and serving looks like.
“Ministry” comes from the Greek word “diakoneo,” which means “to serve”. Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry. He came, not to receive service, but to give it. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
We know, intuitively, that we are to love and serve. That’s what Mark 10:45 is all about. Jesus did not merely come as another prophet or teacher or philosopher. He came to do two things. One: to give His life as a ransom for many. And He came, secondly, to serve His disciples to show them the pattern for discipling others.
As a young Mom and wife, my early-on “ministry” was to tend to my family’s needs, raising them up in a Godly and loving home. My family was my first “ministry”. “Ministry” was my mission for many years as I was the caregiver for my own precious mother. She lived with us for many years, I took care of her in sickness and in health and even in her passing.
“Ministry” was my mission when my precious husband became seriously ill. I was his 24/7 nurse and caregiver. I never assumed those roles as obligations or duties. It was a season of “following God’s lead” and responding with “Here am I. Send me. Use me.”
This present season has afforded me the rich rewards of serving my grown-up children when I can – praying for them, helping in areas that I can in their homes and with their children. I love giving some of this wisdom I’ve stored up for many years. It’s also a season of loving and supporting others who need an encouraging word and even practical servitude. I find that Facebook is another area of “ministry” to be on the daily assignment of giving fresh words from God’s heart to mine, to yours.
And now, after years of loving, praying for and serving her family and dad and others, it is a beautiful ministry to serve my mother-in-law. Her life on this earth is waning. It is a pleasure to serve, love and care for her. We keep thinking “any day now” she will get to go to her home sweet home in heaven. In the meantime, we remember how well she has served. She gave us the example to serve others well. My desire is also to love and serve others so well, that they learn from my example too.
I don’t take my assignments or opportunities to serve, lightly. And I don’t do what I do in my own strength because I’m following my LEADER. He leads. I follow. He serves. I serve. How about you?