Isaiah 61 is about The Good News of Deliverance.
But the prophet speaks of more than deliverance.
He also speaks of roles that are to be filled.
Isaiah 61:6a (NRSVue) - but you shall be called priests of the Lord; you shall be named ministers of our God;
We typically think of ministers as individuals who answer God’s call to lead a congregation.
But this is only one type of ministry.
Paul, in his first letter to Corinth, writes of The Ministry of the Apostles.
1 Corinthians 4:1 (NRSVue) - Think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.
Believers are given a wide assortment of gifts by God to conduct various ministries.
True, some are called to be ministers of congregations.
Some are given the gift of music.
Others are given the ability to create.
Some are given the ability to write.
Others are given the ability to administer (you can even see the word ‘minister’ in this).
Some are given the ability to teach.
Others are given the ability to encourage.
These merely begin the list of all the gifts God bestows.
God has given us life, but he also equips us to serve,
It is up to us to listen to His call and to respond accordingly.
There is much in the way of Kingdom work to be done.
Not one of us can do absolutely everything, but each of us is equipped to do something.
And there is no greater joy than discovering your gift and making that a vital part of your personal ministry,
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, December 13, 2024.
I will be back here on Friday, December 20, 2024
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