I have come to realize ministry in its purest form. My church does services during the week at homes that typically house the elderly. The one I lead is for people with memory issues. I've only been doing this for several months, but have come to understand the meaning of pure ministry.
You see, there is nothing to be gained by ministering to these people. They won't make any life changing decisions. You can't predict their behavior from week to week. Sometimes they don't even know who I am. Some can't communicate...many can't hear you very well. Once in awhile someone will sob uncontrollably for no apparent reason. Yet ministering to them has become one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.
I recently equated it to caring for a baby. You do nothing but wait on an infant 24/7. The result of that care is maybe a dirty diaper. But don't we love those precious little bundles! I've come to care that deeply for my little congregation that I serve every week.
Why don't I approach all my ministry work the same way? The only conclusion I've reached so far is that I have no expectations. I'm a new face every week I come for many of them. Yet they bless me. It has nothing to do with them and everything to do with my attitude. Now to change that attitude in every aspect of my life.
I think too that I've gotten a glimpse of God's love and care of me. I fall far shorter of what I could be, yet His compassion remains. Can there be a purer love!
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1 comment:
I believe maybe I helped inspire you to make a blog post again - - - I mean you hadn't posted since July, and now twice in less than a week!
My Wellington people don't have quite the memory issue that yours do. Mine can follow the entire service and stay with me - - - but some of them have no clue how long it was since we were LAST there.
We had a new couple on Sunday who came for the first time - - - previously they had REFUSED to come. I think they enjoyed it - - - they said they'd be back.
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