Living and loving for an audience of One leaves room for a question such as this:
What does ministry look like? Take a few minutes to meditate on what you think ministry looks like. Make a list of whatever comes to mind.
In the book of Matthew Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
So how does that command fit into your picture of ministry?
Well, recently I was challenged in looking at the picture of ministry. There are so many pictures of ministry in the bible. One of them, just one of them, may shed light on your picture of ministry. For today, the picture of Jesus and the woman at the well is where we will focus.
Jesus was tired, hungry, and thirsty. He was on the way somewhere, and sat down at Jacob’s well. While there He had an opportunity to minister to a woman who came to draw water. Read the story of the woman at the well, to get the picture in John 4. Then come back here.
What did you notice about the ministry picture you saw? Did you realize that the beginning of the picture shows Jesus tired, hungry, and thirsty. He was on the way to somewhere else to minister, and He had time to minister to this woman as tired as He was. Yet one of the most beloved stories of the bible took place. In the midst of real life, He was able to give of Himself when it was least expected.
In real life we are usually on the way to somewhere. We are tired, hungry, and thirsty, but someone can come along that needs what we have. Our audience of One took time for this woman, a blind man, a leper, a demoniac, and others on the way to where He was going.
Has this changed the picture you had in mind of ministry? It did mine. I know that many times I am so focused on what my calling is, or what my current obligations are that I can miss the opportunities to minister to someone in between.
A prayer to our audience of One.
Oh Lord,
Make us sensitive during every day to have our eyes opened to how we can minister to others. Whether it is our family, a friend, a store clerk, the person that waited on us at lunch, or a passerby. Help us to refocus on what ministry really looks like, so we do not miss the opportunities to share you with others. Help us especially when we are tired, hungry, and thirsty. We want to be like You.
In Jesus name, Amen.
❤ Melinda
Another Samaritan Woman 