This past Saturday (yesterday) was another workday for myself and a coworker at the paint store. The first two hours of operation on that rainy morning produced no customers & no phone calls. I had expected a very quiet, slow day to begin with–thanks to the endless hours of precipitation falling on the Northeast Georgia terrain. What I did not expect, however, was a nudge from God through a customer.
About an hour before closing time, while my coworker assisted a couple on a paint project, a gentleman came in to our store carrying a large, molded piece of plastic. The gentleman was short in stature and seemed a little older than I–but not by a whole lot. He appeared to carry a large, off-white colored piece from an automobile–almost as if it came from a door of a mini-van. The two of us talked for a few minutes as he asked what kind of material that he could use for touch-up. I did the best I could to assist him, still somewhat amused that he brought such a large piece in to our store. Our conversation was friendly and, hopefully, I was able to help in offering some suggestions to what he could use for his project.
As he selected his paint and we finished the transaction, he asked me a very simple question: How’s your ministry?
My mind raced as he asked this simple question. Do I know him? Where have I seen him from? What ministry is he referring to? Without showing any signs of being flustered, I had told him of my interests in aviation ministry that I have been seeking God regarding and studying in recent days. He proceeded to offer me a few words of encouragement before walking out the door of our store–automobile part and paint in hand. Even today, his visit and question still remain fresh on my mind and my heart. Though it is possible that I will see that man again sometime down the road in my life, I felt as if God was the one who had asked me this question: How’s your ministry?
St. Francis of Assisi is quoted to have said, “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.” I believe that God spoke to my heart that day not to ask about my ambitions on serving Him through the aviation field but, rather, to ask about how my life will impact those around me to the point that they see something different about me…something that will impact their own lives to seek out a relationship with Christ on their own. Sure, Jesus does command us to go and preach His good news, but our lives MUST back up what we preach. If we send out mixed signals, this world will get even more confused and our message will be nothing more than “white noise”.
God sent a messenger into my life to help me retain my focus on His kingdom. Today, I ask you what He asked me: How’s your ministry?
3 Comments
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 8:42 pm
great post…keep them coming Chris…
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Wow, what an interesting encounter! Great insight, thanks for sharing!!
Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 8:37 am
Great blog!
Our pulpit is where we are standing. The needs of others is our calling.
But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].
2 Corinthians 5:18 (Amplified Bible)