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We all, with unveilied faces,
beholding as in a mirror
the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed
into the same image
from glory to glory,
just as by the Spirit of the Lord
(2 Corinthians 3:18).
I remember when God began to reveal the reality of the Lord Jesus living in me, not as a separate Person or power, but united to the new heart God birthed in me. It was during a time of internal suffering and brokenness.
As I took small, sure steps in response to this revelation, I began to sense a joy in ministering true hope to others. This desire was indeed from the Lord, but I was still striving in my own resources to find out how to minister to others. I was co-dependent on "experts" on the radio and in books to teach me how.
TRANSFORMED FROM HOW TO WHO
God lovingly led me to realize the futility of my "good" efforts to know how to minister. He drew me to be discipled under Him...to be dependent on Him...to receive truth first-hand from Him.
God began to transform my striving to know the HOW of the gospel to a gazing to know the WHO of the gospel! I began to see the glory of the gospel, who is Christ Himself and His completed work through the cross on our behalf.
I began to meditate on these truths: God the Father's purpose for all of history is to reveal God the Son...the cross is the climax of all of history...God has included me in this purpose...God has united me with His dear Son through His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension...Christ now lives in me to minister His life in all of His glory to others through my unique personality...and Christ is available to everyone I minister to!
THE UNVEILING OF MINISTRY
With this growing focus in my heart, I began simply to do the next thing on my heart...to "foolishly" believe the WHO in my heart was in control of the HOW of my ministry! I began to witness God's unveiling of His ministry of His Son through me and others.
For example, in 2000, I started sharing my heart with family and friends through writing newsletters. In 2002, a newsletter ended up at the Boys Home of the South which soon opened a door to minister hope to boys. This Rest Stop newsletter ministry is also a result. I did not seek these ministries; they were unveiled from glory to glory as I simply took heart-felt steps of faith.
In April this year, my heart was to accompany a friend to the Haven of Rest mission. I became captivated by the Haven's passion to disciple men they rescue from addictions. For several months, I was drawn to observe the men at morning devotions, and I began to relate to them. In December, I was invited by the Haven to teach on grace every Monday evening. Last week, tears streamed down the face of one man who saw in the glory of the gospel His total acceptance in Christ. Again, I did not seek this ministry; the ministry was unveiled from glory to glory as I was living out my heart, the heart indwelt by Christ.
I hope this encourages you on your journey. I long to share my ministry opportunities with you and to partner with you in any way. May we know our steps are already ordained this year!
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