Don't Miss the Ministry in the Middle
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" - Matthew 5:44
We often think God can only use us once we are out of the storm. Once the chaos settles. Once the healing happens. Once we feel whole again. But God does not wait to move until life feels clean and tidy. Sometimes the most powerful ministry comes not after the pain, but right in the middle of it.
Paul was sitting in prison when he wrote some of his most powerful words. Not on the other side of freedom. Not after his wounds were healed. Right there in the chains. He did not wait to bless others until he had everything together. He kept preaching. Kept writing. Kept ministering. Because he knew that God’s power could still flow through his pain.
You may be walking through something today that feels heavy. Maybe you are waiting for a breakthrough. Maybe you are still hurting. But even there, God wants to use you. There are people watching you. There are people who need the light of Jesus that shines through your faithfulness. Your joy in the middle of sorrow may be what leads someone else to hope. Your kindness through the struggle may be what points someone to Jesus.
Do not underestimate what God can do through your brokenness. You do not have to be on the mountaintop for your life to matter. You just have to be willing to stay available. That is what makes the difference. Not perfection. Not performance. Just obedience.
Wherever you are today, whatever you are carrying, ask yourself this: Who can I bless even while I wait for my own breakthrough? Who can I encourage while I still feel the weight of the battle? That kind of ministry is powerful. And that kind of obedience will not go unnoticed by God. He sees it. He honors it. And He will use it to change lives.
We often think God can only use us once we are out of the storm. Once the chaos settles. Once the healing happens. Once we feel whole again. But God does not wait to move until life feels clean and tidy. Sometimes the most powerful ministry comes not after the pain, but right in the middle of it.
Paul was sitting in prison when he wrote some of his most powerful words. Not on the other side of freedom. Not after his wounds were healed. Right there in the chains. He did not wait to bless others until he had everything together. He kept preaching. Kept writing. Kept ministering. Because he knew that God’s power could still flow through his pain.
You may be walking through something today that feels heavy. Maybe you are waiting for a breakthrough. Maybe you are still hurting. But even there, God wants to use you. There are people watching you. There are people who need the light of Jesus that shines through your faithfulness. Your joy in the middle of sorrow may be what leads someone else to hope. Your kindness through the struggle may be what points someone to Jesus.
Do not underestimate what God can do through your brokenness. You do not have to be on the mountaintop for your life to matter. You just have to be willing to stay available. That is what makes the difference. Not perfection. Not performance. Just obedience.
Wherever you are today, whatever you are carrying, ask yourself this: Who can I bless even while I wait for my own breakthrough? Who can I encourage while I still feel the weight of the battle? That kind of ministry is powerful. And that kind of obedience will not go unnoticed by God. He sees it. He honors it. And He will use it to change lives.
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4 Comments
Amen!!!
I have been under an extreme spiritual attack, leaving me emotional and even physically drained. But I have been combating it with His Word, with worship and with LOTS of prayer. This devotional really stands out for this moment. That though I and so beat, I did find joy this week I was able to give testimony to others to encourage them to find the course that God has laid out for them. It is a part of my ministry that though thing get tough, and are obviously are tough, I can still shine my light.
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nIronically I wrote this several weeks ago.
nSept 3- So I signed up for this app to grow closer to God. Today's assignment is to share with someone something I learned about God in scripture and how it is impacting my life. Thought I would share here.
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nI often just flip through my Bible and land where I land and read.
nToday I landed on 2 Corinthians 6:3-13 Paul's Hardships.
nI can't make someone stumble and nobody can find fault in my ministry. I endure Hardships and stay true to my ministry. I my work, in said ministry, drains me physically and mentally. I physically go with out food at times. But I prove to myself and to my Lord that I stay true to his Holy Spirit with my compassion, my tolerance of trouble, and my love for Childen of God. I speak truth, I am legit. I will fight righteously and physically, with my right hand for attack and my left hand to defend (I am going to the gym later to practice my physical defense). Though my heart is in pain lately, I find joy. I maybe be poor spiritually but in my ministry I give share with others spiritual benefits. I ask you to open your own heart to your own ministry, in Love.
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Amén! thanks Pastor Ed for today's devo.
Not perfection. Not performance. Just obedience. Yes sir. That’s what it boils down to for me. Rigorous honesty. Takes all the fluff out of it and I’m grateful that God made it that way. With my selfish nature it makes it attainable. I think Nike may have had it right. Just do it