Hi
Years ago I remember chatting wit someone who thought that ministry is the domain of pastors only. It isn’t. In today’s Holy Nougat, Paul’ message is directed elsewhere.
“And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.””
Colossians 4:17 NLT
What an instruction!
Although Archippus is named as a fellow soldier (possibly in Philemon‘a household, no one is fully sure why Paul sent such instructions. Some believe it was a gentle reminder, others that it was a rebuke, yet others like myself presume it may have been encouragement for a task that may have been daunting.
As one involved in full time ministry, this resonates with me. For far often there are challenges which invites second thoughts about the call to ministry. And at times, the impact of those challenges – real or imagined – requires encouragement from others.
Whether we know what it is or not, each of us believers is called to ministry and it usually involves a bit more than sitting in the pews. It might be ministering through our actions and lifestyle, rather than through visible manifestations in a worship space.
Are you aware of the ministry to which God has called you? Do you have moments when you second guess God’s call upon your life? If so, how would such an instruction affect you? And, if it was intended as a rebuke, would the identity of the sender affect our willingness to hear and heed?
For many of us, the instruction is being echoed, ’carry out the ministry to which God has called us.’ Let’s obey and minister with our best selves beginning today.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
