Reluctant Missionary

 

 

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If you knew the place where I work...well, let's just say you may start to believe all those "crazy" references I make about myself (if you don't already). It's been a hard 20 plus years, it's been a place that I have tried leaving many times (was successful once, came back after a year...another long story). There have many paychecks not cashable, cancelled insurance and other "benefits" too numerous to list.

A lot of those years were spent yearning for "full-time" ministry opportunities outside of where I worked, not seeing clearly that it was staring me in the face all the time. Sure there were times of connecting with fellow co-workers, sharing their struggles and even praying with them...but, was that ministry? The truth is, my workplace has been my mission field and I have been a reluctant missionary for most of my tenure there.

This past Sunday, at our church's 5 year anniversary celebration, a friend and former co-worker said one of the nicest and empowering things to me (and to my wife earlier). She related how I have always been a pastor to her, even to the department I supervised when we worked together. To the way I handled my position, to the way I touched people…it reflected Jesus and influence her life significantly. I was blessed and (very) humbled at the same time...because we worked together over 20 years ago.

It’s hard to imagine that kind of influence…only God can do that through a reluctant missionary.

I repeat this praise only to encourage you that your ministry is where you happen to be, don't be waiting for it, live like the Messiah every place you go. You don't need a title... you already have one...you're a son or daughter of the God who so loved the world He sent His son to redeem and set people free. That my friend... is full-time ministry.

Look around, you never know who you will touched with His story living through you. Your mission field is ready for you!

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

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Comments

Bill (cycleguy) said…
I knew there was something special about you. :)
Bill (cycleguy) said…
Forgot to add: it's that Jesus guy
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Bro'...yes...it is all Him!
jasonS said…
SO GOOD! Yes, we can get our brains beat out by the enemy who desperately wants us to believe we make no difference in our everyday lives, but when we'll be open to love, give, and serve everywhere and in all relationships, He'll use it all for His glory. I'm with you, Jay. Keep throwing seeds and I'll be there with you. :) God is so good.
Jay Cookingham said…
He is so very good to use such imperfect seed tossers! Thanks Jason!
floyd said…
Amen, Jay. It's not about a title, it's about sharing Truth. Our mission field is ripe and we tend to step over them in the course of our day. Thanks for the reminder of that which I am called.
Awesome. What a great testimony. This encourages me. Thanks for sharing this.
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks brother...God is so good to use us...even when we're so unaware that He is!

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