Sometimes we are tempted to think of life and ministry in separate categories and compartmentalize them into each area of our living.  Its like we think sometimes we are “on duty” and other times not. I have learned over the course of my life that it just doesn’t work that way.  A recent trip to visit Peggy and her family in Oklahoma reminded me of that truth.ow

Peg’s family is going through some challenging times as they navigate the way of aging parents needing new levels of assisted care, including some in differnet care facilities and varying levels of care.  Visiting with those family members, wheher it was at the house or in a care facility requires of us “living ministry”.  Those family membera desperately need us to be both family members and ministers.  In fact, what comes back into focus for me is that I am really a family minister.  Both at the same time!

And that is how it is in the ministry, we are always ministers no matter where we are or who we are with.  We must be people who are always on duty as representatives of our Lord to people, and ready to intercede for people to our Lord.  And that means that everything we do and say must be consistent with our professed faith, because others are always watching.  And we never know when some random conversation will turn into a witnessing or ministry opportunity.  I had the opportunity to witness this week to family members, and to minister to them out of my experience, and to show them while I am far from perfect I am commited to Jesus.  And they noticed.  Not everyone believed yet, and not all was put into perfect healing or outcomes.  But they consistently thanked me and appreciated my words and touch and help.  And along the way we moved closer to eventual needed decisions.

Don’t ever forget – ministry is. full time role in life and is impossible to separate from all of everyday life!