September 15, 2007
Ministry
by Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer
The word “ministry” sounds big, impressive, and intimidating. Often, people are frightened by the idea of starting one. To avoid getting involved, we often make excuses. Teenagers feel too young to have a ministry, adults don’t have time, and the shy are afraid to try. . .
But ministry really is not as frightening as it sounds. In fact, if you look at the word ministry, you find something interesting:
The Ministry Equation: “Mini” –“s” + “try” = Mini try.
Ministry is really just a “mini”/miniature try. Ministry is something small that you start and let God take over. You don’t need to worry about having the biggest, or greatest ministry in the church, all you need to do is give what you have, and let God do the rest!
Vincent Van Gogh once said that, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”
In first Kings chapter 17, there is a story about how God used a widow with small resources to minister and keep Elijah alive during the famine. She gave what little she had, and her “mini” try became a ministry to the prophet Elijah. There are many other stories about how God used a person’s small attempt and turned it into a great ministry (i.e. the boy whose 5 loaves and 5 fishes fed the multitudes).
Our God is mighty. And He can use our little talents and meager resources to create something beautiful.
Let Him use you to reach other people!
Bio: Lydia Rule is currently working on her fifth novel as well as many other writing projects. She is also the editor for several online publications. Her pastimes include antique shopping, ping-pong, tennis, and reading a good mystery novel.
Debbie says:
AWESOME, Lydia! How do you find time to do it all?? The writing, the part-time job, college…girl, you amaze me!
Debbie
lydia says:
It’s called sleepless nights and lots of caffeine!! LOL
Glad you liked the devo.
Thanks for the comment…
-Lydia Rule
BJ Hamrick says:
Thanks, Lydia! I needed this so much today!
Suzie Eller says:
Lydia, Every time I read something of yours, I know that one day I’ll see your books on the shelves. I felt that same way about BJ (right above me — hey, BJ!) and now she is signed with an agent. Keep writing!