Ministry Reflection!

A long but meaningful post: Reflecting tonight on ministry for God and how important it is. This is an appreciation post, because God has to keep me in check for those times I am having a pity party and feel like I am not ministering for Him. Or the times I don't feel like ministering, He never ceases to place someone in my path to realize what my calling is. I realize just how beyond blessed I have been that God placed me in each area of ministry based on where I was at during my relationship with Him. And, as I've continued to grow spritually, God has changed my area of ministry. I've never been one to sit on the sidelines when it comes to ministry. I've always made myself available whatever the area may be. When I say I've helped in every church ministry possible since I was 13 years old, I am not exaggerating. I was saved at 13 and being raised in church, I never knew anything different but stepping in and helping. I remember when I was in college and facing serious health problems, temporarily bedridden. Oh, I was so discontent. Even in that bed I wanted to minister for the Lord. I prayed about an opportunity, and a door opened for a season of women's jail letter ministry for months. Those ladies were encouraged and came to the Lord or back to Him through those letters, and it is a part of my life I won't forget. When I am not helping in ministry, when I am not about the Father's business, I am miserable. My heart feels heavy and tears fill my eyes when I know I am not being used of the Lord. That is why I am so thankful for nursing home ministry, and that I started it back last month. Teaching those precious people and singing to them is a blessing. It is a needed ministry; they can't go to church so it is my job (or others who volunteer) to take church to them... or when I get a message or phone call about coming to speak at a church or sing or fill in on the piano, etc. I use those opportunities, because I know God has ordained me to be there at those exact moments to minister and be used of Him. The times I sing or minister at my home church too. I've seen that happening these past couple of weeks. We can't get comfortable or selfish and think I am just going to sit on the sidelines week after week in my same pew/chair at church as you feel miserable and don't know why... it is because you aren't about the Father's business, there isn't anything confusing about it...  it is just the enemy wants to make us feel worthless because he does not want us to minister for the Lord... ministry isn't a competition, we are all in this together.   I want to encourage you to pray and realize your calling... smiles, hugs, prayers, visiting, phone calls, encouraging words, helping clean up, all the behind the scenes jobs, etc. is ALL ministry... everyone is needed in some area... so, find your place and let God use you to advance His kindgom. The Lord's return is drawing closer, and I want to do everything I can to encourage someone in the Lord, pray them through, or lead them to or back to the Lord. I am like the prophet Jeremiah.... I think I need to be quiet, I think I need to sit on the sidelines but His word is like a fire shut up in my bones... Jeremiah knew he had to keep on ministering and I know I do too!! At 33 years old now, I finally know and fully understand why we, as Christians, are called and commanded to go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come (i.e. come to the Lord, come to church)!!