October 18
Scripture: 2 Cor 4:1
Source author: Jenni Davenport
October 18
The Ministry He Gives Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. —2 Corinthians 4:1
My friend Sally is my ideal of a Christian who serves. She has taken care of her elderly neighbors; she’s walked through the valley of death with cancerous friends; she takes meals to people who need them; she volunteers at a thrift store that benefits the indigent. And those are only the things I know about. I want to be like Sally. I want to love the world and make a difference like she does. One day Sally came by my house to borrow a kettle—she was taking several pots of chili to the local mission. I said, “Sally, teach me how to do good works. I want to serve like you.” She gave me a warm smile and said, “Kiddo, you have your hands full with your own ministry right now—those kids of yours and your job.” She was right. My ministry isn’t dramatic like Sally’s. It’s not the stuff that looks good on a résumé or gets a person humanitarian honors. But God has given me my own ministry to focus on right now, just as He’s given Sally hers.
Never underestimate the value of the ministry you have in the place where God has called you—even if it’s “only” among your family and friends. — Jenni Davenport —