Real Ministry Is...

I think I’ve said this before…or something like it…but today was a great day for me. Today we held the food distribution at the SV Lifeline. It’s not that I particularly enjoy the work, though I do, or the fellowship with others Christians, I enjoy that too, or the misfortune of others. It’s the one on one ministry I cherish. To be able to look into someone’s eyes, listen to their story, and in some small way meet their needs. I really think that was what Jesus was all about as he roamed this earth…I also think that is being Jesus to others: to look into their eyes, listen to their story, and meet their needs. It seems to me repeatedly in Scripture that is what Jesus did…in fact that is all that he did...nothing more, nothing less. Real ministry is not about the preaching, the study, the meetings (never the meetings!), the public prayers, or even the fellowship, although I would say all of these are important…it’s about meeting people's needs. And in order to meet needs we must take the time to look into their eyes and listen to their stories. If we don’t, we are doing nothing more than playing church.