To minister is to serve needs. To be a Christian minister is to serve needs in the name of Jesus. The goal? To love others in such a way that it causes them to know that God himself is loving them and serving their needs.
Yet serving needs in Jesus’ name can be hard. Especially when we have so many reasons to hold back. One person may wonder if he or she would really be doing any good. Another wants to avoid being perceived as a bother. Still others hold back because they have been hurt by one who has a need.
Authentic Christian ministry is indeed difficult, if not impossible when our hearts are burdened with hurts and insecurities. That is why it is important for God’s people to pray for hearts that are free and clean (Psalm 51:10-13).
It is our human tendency to avoid pain, insecurity and frustrations, but in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus taught us to transcend our own disappointments so as to enter into another’s experience. Then, once we begin to share another’s experience, we can perceive their needs and serve them as God would have them be served, which is above and beyond their stated need.
When asked for a shirt, Jesus said, “Give your jacket as well.” When one unfairly asks you to carry one’s bags for a mile, Jesus encourages no indignation, but rather urges, “Carry it two miles.” When those with whom we are uncomfortable have needs, Jesus said, “Love them and pray for them.”
The reason why we are asked to serve above and beyond the need is clear. It is because when over-served, even the hardest of hearts can begin to soften toward accepting God’s reality and love in Christ. As already stated though, it is increasingly difficult to serve others when one’s own heart is burdened by hurts and concerns. That is why Jesus gave us prayer and relationships, including one with him, and the promise that we are never alone, or unaided in ministry.
Because of God’s help, and the support and encouragement of his people, our personal hurts never have to become crippling burdens. Instead, they become connecting threads through which we can show understanding and empathy toward others.
And when we have needs, God sees that they are met in such a way that we know His love and care. When we make mistakes, the grace, forgiveness and encouragement of Jesus abound all the more.
God’s unfathomable love for us does not end there, because along with his help and care, we also have God’s gratitude for all we do in his name. Jesus said, “Whatever you have done for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). And that is an astounding thought. Did you know that the thanks we receive from others when we serve in Jesus’ name is actually a “thank you” from Jesus himself?
Chaplain Joseph Ostlund serves Optage Hospice since April of 2024. He is a licensed minister with the Evangelical Free Church of America. He currently lives in Mound with his wife Kalli, the three youngest of his five children and his family dog. Joseph enjoys outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, hunting and fishing. He and Kalli also enjoy planning small gatherings and cooking gourmet meals together.
The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.
