I believe that ministry can begin the moment we open our eyes in the morning. It may not be discussing the great mysteries of theology, rescuing orphans out of poverty or publishing a book, though I hope those things are a part of my story one day, too.
No matter where I find myself — serving overseas or in my town, in singleness or motherhood, or unemployment — what is asked of me by the Lord does not change. In every season and in whatever we do, we are to do it all with excellence for our Savior.
In this season, just as in every one before this, the Lord has called me to serve in obedience to him. Obedience is often small, and often unnoticed by those around. Obedience can look like covering a single mom’s lunch because you know how hard she works, or praying with a friend before a big interview in the middle of the parking lot. It may look like coming in to work early to make sure that the bulletins are printed or staying late to chat with a girl who is having a tough day. It might look like hosting a friend for dinner who is walking through a hard season. It is remembering people’s names and using them, seeing people in front of me not as projects, but as people who are made in the image of God and who are potential friends. I’ve noticed people don’t really care who you know until you make them feel cared for and known.
I’ve noticed people don’t really care who you know until you make them feel cared for and known.
These little mundane interactions can be more telling of my “mission” in life than the words I speak from a stage or publish on the internet. In this season, and in every one to come, obedience is what will honor my Savior most — not grand acts. Simple, ordinary obedience of doing the next right thing. I believe a life of quiet faithfulness is filled with mundane, ordinary obedience (although there certainly might be some grand acts along the way).
I love the Amplified Version’s translation of Colossians 3:23-24:
Whatever you do (whatever your task may be), work form the soul (that is, put in your very best effort), as (something done) for the Lord and not for men, knowing (with all certainty) that it is from the Lord (not from men) that you will receive the inheritance which is your (greatest) reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you (actually) serve.
First and foremost, I do not serve my coworkers. I do not serve my employers. I do not serve the expectations of other people. I serve the Lord. It is through serving Jesus that I get to use every ounce of energy and joy that overflows from remembering who He is and what He has done for me. It’s amazing how excited you can get about mundane tasks when you are doing them for someone who rescued your life. Having this perspective changes the mundane, everyday tasks that we are assigned to into acts of love — little choices that we get to make that whisper “thank you” to a Savior who graciously allows us to be a part of His redemptive plan in the lives of people that we interact with.
We can find comfort in knowing the emphasis of this command is placed on the “how” and not on the “what.” No matter where I find myself — serving overseas or in my town, in singleness or motherhood, or unemployment — what is asked of me by the Lord does not change. In every season and in whatever we do, we are to do it all with excellence for our Savior.
Jesus makes his invisible presence visible through His people who represent Him in one another’s lives. You are the look on Christ’s face. You are the tones of His voice. You are the touch of His hands. You are the physical representative of His graces. This is your mission in every relationship of your life — to make the grace of the invisible King visible.”
Paul David Tripp
