As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.-1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV
There is
nothing wrong with being a pastor or a missionary. As a matter of fact, I want to be a
missionary and I completely respect everyone who does. It does take a lot of faith to go overseas
and serve or stand in front of hundreds of people on a Sunday morning. But what do we do with the fact that in a
congregation of people on fire for God, the majority of people live lives or will live lives as
accountants, teachers, doctors, and other “secular” careers?
When people
think of a ministry, they typically think of Mother Theresa, a missionary nun
who served in Calcutta, or Billy Graham, an evangelist whose words and humility
allowed millions of people to find Christ through his television program. But did you ever think of the waitress who
spends hours working so that she can support her daughter and raise her in the
Lord? Did you ever think of the
therapist who listens to his clients talk all day and then goes home and prays
for every one of them?
Being
involved in ministry simply implies fulfilling the Great Commission, in which
Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations. Priscilla and Aquila were two people who used
the gifts that God gave them in order to further the kingdom of God. They were not disciples like Peter and Paul
were. As a matter of fact, they made
tents for a living. The tents
they made were sturdier and more significant than the tents that we have now,
but it was not like they were in any type of full-time ministry. They were Jews whom Claudius had kicked out
of Italy. When Paul met them, they were
living in Corinth.
Paul was
what we would call a missionary, but he was also a tentmaker. His main focus was to preach the
gospel, but he had a job in order to reach more people. His job as a tentmaker serves as an example
for missionaries today. Numerous
missionaries become English teachers, nurses, or entrepreneurs overseas so that
it would be easier for them to acquire a visa and live in another country.
Because Paul shared this common trade with Priscilla and Aquila, they
allowed Paul to work with them.
While Paul
was preaching the gospel in Corinth, Priscilla and Aquila were allowing Paul to
stay in their home. The Bible says that
Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half!
Priscilla and Aquila were
able to help Paul in his ministry. Because
of their obedience to God, Priscilla and Aquila were able to use their home to
aid others as well. While Paul was
still in Corinth, a man named Apollos came from Ephesus. Priscilla and Aquila invited him into their
home and explained God to him. After
hearing Paul minister to the Corinthians in their home, Priscilla and Aquila
learned about God and were able to teach what they learned to others. Even after Paul left, they were still using their home to glorify the
Lord. As a matter of fact, in 1
Corinthians 16:19, Paul wrote that they were using their house as a place of
worship and fellowship for the believers in Corinth.
God has
blessed everyone with gifts, talents, and resources that he can use for His
glory. God has given me the gift of
writing and the ability to relate to people.
I just started working at my college’s writing center, and I realized
how much I love helping people learn how to write. I especially love working with international
students who did not learn English until they came here in the beginning of the
school year. Because of these gifts and
these skills that I have, I am studying TESOL, and I plan to teach English
overseas.
I realize
that I am writing to an audience of people who may not know what their gifts or
talents are. I have a few friends that
love God and are doing “all the right things,” but they have no idea
what they want to do with their lives.
It really hurts not knowing where God is calling you to be. You may be attentive to God’s voice, but
maybe He is not saying anything yet. God
has His timing and His reasons for everything, but it is important that you
begin to serve God in the little things.
Maybe God has not called you to be a worship pastor at your local
church, but He has called you to take care of your sister or donate money to a
non-profit organization. Maybe you are
not ready to hop on a plane and go to Africa, but you can spend a few hours
listening to your friend talk about how he struggles with temptation and how it
is eating him alive. Just like Priscilla
and Aquila, you can serve God by simply surrendering the little things that you
have.
So, what do
you have to give to God? Do you have a
love for sports? Do you have a
well-paying job that allows you to live in a big house? Do you have compassion, patience, or a
willingness to listen? If you have
anything to give to God, then God is calling you into His ministry. He is calling you to further the kingdom of
God with the gifts and talents that you already have. Through your acts of surrender—saying “yes”
to God everyday—God is growing your skills and talents and allowing you to
discover more of how God can use you full-time.
I’m sure all
of you read this post thinking “Am I
called to ministry?” The answer is yes.
You may not be called to be a pastor or a missionary, but you are called
to help in making disciples. It is your
job to share your testimony with the world, to be a listening ear, and to serve
people who are hurting. Eventually, you
may end up as a missionary or a pastor, or you may end up as a sales associate
or a social worker. Continue to trust
God and say “yes” to Him; when you look back, you will know that you made a
difference through your ministry.
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