STAYING READY

God is so funny to me. He literally makes me laugh and he is so creative in how he sets up ministry in my life. He loves using bait. I’ve watched Him over and over, use the ordinary for supernatural purposes. I think back to the time he used mascara to speak one of the most powerful words of destiny into my life.

I think I’m going on vacation, work, out to dinner, shopping, working out, traveling for myself. But it’s like he’s smiling, telling me, “you think you’re here shopping but really you’re here for me.” “You think you’re here cause he wants to talk business but really you’re here to minister to Him.” I can give you story after story of my “bait Jesus”. And every time I drive away, I’m in joyful amazement of how he shows up. He has a greater purpose in the mundane.

Greater Purpose

That’s the thing, when you surrender your life to Him and you really desire to be used by Him, then anything can happen and it will. Everything shifted when I really started partnering with God by praying for divine appointments and caring more about His kingdom then my own.

Be very careful, then, how you livenot as unwise but as wise,making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17

Now there have also been those times that I know I’m going to minister, and am more prepared. I have a date to share my story or I’m going to a church event where I’ll be in an atmosphere, expecting God to move. But life is so much more exciting when he surprises me because I stay ready. Stay expectant. You don’t get ready, you stay ready. He starts to trust you with His business when you have a surrendered and humble heart, willing to be His mouthpiece.

 

Ministry doesn’t end

Just the other day, I wasn’t in the mood to minister because I wanted to have a light-hearted time of doing nothing. I was asked by my friend to watch her three young children all under the age of five because she was off to have her fourth baby. Her neighbor also came to help cook dinner.

Unexpected to us, she didn’t have her baby right away. In fact, after we put the kids to bed, we had a few hours alone before they returned from the hospital. I just wanted to relax and watch a movie. I didn’t want to get deep and emotional. But as I was sitting there, I knew the Holy Spirit was prompting me to share. The purposeful night ended with us praying for each other. As she left, the Holy Spirit started speaking to me, saying, “Ministry is not on and off, you will aways minster. Stay ready.”

Ministry is work. It can be exhausting, hard dealing with offensive people, emotionally draining and tiresome but that’s why we must be filled up daily so we can be ready at all times to pour out. Without Him, there is no me.

Everything shifted when I really started partnering with God. By praying for divine appointments and caring more about His kingdom then my own.”

We are not on this earth to just get married, have children, own a nice home, stay comfortable and pass on. He has called us to the uncomfortable, beautiful, extremely fulfilling life of living out our purpose. Are you ready?

Let us pray:

“Lord, please forgive us for our selfishness. For caring more about our own kingdoms then yours. I give you myself, use me as you wish. Give me daily divine appointments. Help me to stay ready and to boldly make you known. Be glorified in my life”