Lifted Up to Serve

Well, come on over here, friend, an’ pull up a real comfy chair. You can rest your weary bones on this here front porch an’ let your heart be takin’ a long, slow breath, the kind that gits to settlin’ you down like a little ol’ field mouse that finally found a quiet stump to crawl under after outrunnin’ a huntin’ barn cat, two nosey blue jays, and a goat that woke up feelin’ mighty important. We’re fixin’ to be steppin’ right on into some Scripture together, movin’ gentle and steady like good neighbors our walkin’ an’ wanderin’ through a meadow, brushin’ past wildflowers, sidesteppin’ a turtle holdin’ up traffic, and tryin’ not to disturb a snorin’ beaver that clearly worked the night shift plumb through. Mark 1:31, where Jesus “took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.” Friend, that there verse is sho’-nuff’ sweeter than fresh churned butter slidin’ across a warm biscuit.

Now, Peter’s mother-in-law did not preach a sermon, pass out tracts, or hold a revival in the livin’ room. She simply ministered to others by servin’ ‘em. That there word minister is the same one used for deacon and for servin’ all throughout the New Testament. She simply did what needed doin’. An’ Jesus counted it as ministry. Sometimes we get it in our heads that ministry only happens behind a pulpit or with a microphone, but Scripture shows us ministry can look a whole lot like handin’ somebody a plate, sweepin’ a floor, or makin’ sure folks have what they need.

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 10:42, “Even a cup of cold water given in His name will not lose its reward.” That there means heaven notices all them little things. Heaven celebrates the even small things. Heaven sees the real quiet things that nobody else claps for. But many folks keep waitin’ for the big, shiny, important job to come along, while they’re walkin’ right past a dozen small opportunities that would’ve blessed somebody’s socks off. Yet Luke 16:10 reminds us, “God gives greater things only after we have been faithful in the small things.”

So, today, friend, ask the Lord to open your eyes real wide. Ministry might look like carryin’ groceries for somebody who is movin’ slower than a sleepy lil’ ol’ armadillo. It might look like encouragin’ a weary soul who’s feelin’ flatter than an ol’ possum layin’ out on a highway. It might look like servin’ in ways nobody else gits to seein’ but God. And that there’s more than enough.

Father, thank You for showin’ us that ministry is not always loud or fancy. Help us see the small things You place in our path. Give us hearts ready to serve, hands ready to help, and eyes ready to notice the needs around us. Let us minister the way Peter’s mother in law did, with joy and willingness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, looky here, friend, as you leave off this here porch today and head on back into a world where the squirrels act like they run the county and the roosters crow like they own the sunrise, carry this truth with you that ministry just ain’t measured by applause. It’s measured by obedience. It ain’t ‘bout bein’ seen. It’s ‘bout servin’ well. An’ when you offer even the smallest act in Jesus’ name, heaven leans in real close and smiles brightly. So, go on now, be out there lookin’ for what you can be doin’ to git to servin’ with gladness, and be lettin’ your life shine brighter than a lit coal oil lantern hangin’ on a country fence at dusk.

With joy,

Gwen