Indispensable Ministers

Read His Words Before Ours!
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Romans 12:3-8
Ephesians 4:11-16  

Three years ago, I got snowed in…in Texas.

That’s right. Snowed in. In Texas.

Part of the reason I was snowed in was because Texas just doesn’t know how to handle snow, so the runways at the airport weren’t prepped for the icy snow. Plus, there weren’t enough snow plows to cover the entire city. So, after spending an amazing few days with one of my dearest friends, we headed to the airport in Dallas, and there I was stuck.

After a couple of hours of frantic phone calls, many texts, and a Facebook post, I was connected with a friend’s parents, who welcomed me into their home to stay as long as I needed.

From the moment I met Melanie and Craig, I was amazed at the joy that exuded from both of them. Have you ever had that moment where you look at someone and you just know that they must love Jesus because they really look a lot like Him? That is how I would describe this incredible couple.
They took me out to lunch with their youngest daughter, paid for my meal, and before we went to their home, they stopped at Target and asked me if I needed anything… anything at all. I didn’t. But they asked.

Generosity was an extension of their daily lives.

One day turned into two which turned into three, and every single day I found myself more enamored with this family. They opened their kitchen to me, bought my meals when we went out, and continuously asked if I had everything I needed. We spent evenings around their table playing games or on the couch snuggled in blankets, and spent our days visiting and touring a very cold and snowy Dallas.

Hospitality seemed to come naturally for them.

On the fourth day, Melanie and Craig drove me to the airport, where they prayed over me and, once again, asked if I had everything I needed. Craig pulled out his wallet and tried to give me some money. It was in that moment that I realized that they not only had welcomed me into their home, they had cared for me as if I were their own daughter.

Action quickly followed their faith.

Melanie and Craig ministered to my heart in a way that I had never experienced. I had spent my life surrounded by people with a gift in ministering to others, but I have never known it in the way I did that week.

As we’re journeying into Repurposed, we are discovering the beauty that comes from Christ’s vision of the body of Christ working together as one body, each of us using our gifts to impact the Kingdom and bring glory and honor to Him. Each of us possess different gifts because if we all had the same purpose, other areas would be lacking.

Speaking specifically to those called to minister to others by showing hospitality, giving generously, proving their faith with actions, and extending mercy and compassion to others…
Your spiritual gifts are important.
They are needed.

What makes these gifts so incredible is that they are needed by both the body of Christ, and people who still need Jesus.

When the word “minister” is used as a verb, it means: “to attend to the needs of someone”. Spiritual needs, physical needs, emotional needs… people with these giftings are able to meet so many of these needs.

Sometimes, those of us who have spiritual giftings that allow us to minister to others, we can feel small, or like our gifts aren’t as noticed because we only impact one person or a smaller group of people at a time.
The Lord wants to snuff out those thoughts completely!
As you read before beginning (and if you didn’t, pause and go back to read the references at the top!)
“…the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable…”

Indispensable!

And while you may not feel like your role in the body is “weak”, you may feel like it is “small” or perhaps “unnoticed” or even “unnecessary”.

But you… you are in INDISPENSABLE.
You are NEEDED.
You are an important part of the body of Christ.

Go, and continue using your incredible giftings to bring glory and honor to His KINGDOM!
​Let your gifts be repurposed for *much* in His Kingdom!

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