During one of my 'me and God' times at the beach, I was reading in Psalms and was led to some scripture in II Corinthians. I'm sure I can't relay to others what the Lord put on my heart that morning, but I want to blog about it as much for my benefit as anyone else's.
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowlege, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. II Corinthians 6:3-10.
Maybe why this scripture spoke to me so much was due to the fact that I know God has been speaking to me regarding this area already. Am I known as a Christian among my friends, coworkers, students? Do others see me as a minister of God? And if so, am I bringing shame to the ministry? Oh how that grieves my heart... I never want to be the reason someone might not come to know Jesus. In distresses, tumults, afflictions (things that happen everyday) do I react with longsuffering (I know I lack in this), kindness, love unfeigned (not pretend love, but real and genuine)? Do I allow the Holy Spirit to lead my reaction?
There have been several new trials in my life lately and I wonder if my response is pleasing to the ministry. I believe God has put me in a position where I cross paths with hundreds of new people every semester and I want my life to portray the attributes of a Christian. I want others to see Christ in me. As Pastor said on Sunday, "Do you need to wear a t-shirt that says 'I Love Jesus' for folks to know that you do??"
Let me be alway rejoicing...
*the difference between always and alway: Always is at every occasion; Alway is all the time, perpetual.
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