On Tuesday of this week, I had the blessing of joining my mom along with our friends Julie and Denise to work downtown with the operation Christmas child center. We worked from 12-6pm; sorting through boxes and packing them up to be shipped. My mom's job was to open up each box and take out whatever was not allowed to be sent. My job was to tape up the crates and move them to be loaded on a truck. It was the best excuse I've had all week to get away from the office. More important than that though, I had the joy of doing ministry work with my mom.
Have you ever had an opportunity in your life to do ministry work with a family member? Have you ever gone on a mission trip or served in any capacity in your church with a family member? If not, I encourage you to find time...MAKE time for it! It's been years since I've done something in ministry with my mom. In fact, I believe the last time we worked together was on a trip called "project lift off" (a weekend retreat in which I took students from Kentucky to Alabama to see the Space and Rocket Center... while engaging in Bible studies in the evenings). During this weekend, my mom organized all of our meals at the church. She has such an incredible heart for the Lord. I love and respect her very much.
You can see family members serving together in Scripture. Look with me at Matthew 4:18-20: Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." Isn't that a wonderful passage? These two brothers were in employment together. They would wake up each morning and pretty much do the same thing; fish to raise support in their families. Together, these two brothers left and "followed" Jesus. I love this word "followed." In the Greek, we see the word akoloutheo (ak-ol-oo-theh'-o: to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple), to follow or to reach). The brothers were in the same spirit. The brothers became true disciples of Christ, and together, reached many for the kingdom. I imagine that was a blessing that they shared in their lifetime. I imagine they rejoiced together in glory. It wasn't an easy lifestyle. I can only imagine times in which they fought or had disputes with one another. However, they were "in the same way with" each other...following Christ Jesus!
Make time to do ministry with a family member. I had a great privilege of going on a mission trip with Brooke back in September. I can't wait to go on another one. Don't worry, I'll blog about that and her soon.... Take this as a friendly challenge.
Mom, when you read this, thank you for a wonderful day of ministry. I love you and I'm honored to be your son! To God, be the glory. His Glory is my reward.
No comments:
Post a Comment