Some of us are trying to find and use the gifts God has given us and we search and search not knowing what they are or how they will be used. I submit to you that the ministry of FRIENDSHIP is one which God has given to each of us and we must strive to be good stewards over this gift. Rather than casting our pearls before swine and then questioning the divine as to why things don't work out for us, let us instead embrace, cultivate, and enhance the relationships he has blessed us with already. The ability to uplift, encourage, and support others with no strings attached is a MINISTRY. It is that unconditional agape love which allows others to see the GOD in us and for us to spread God's love through our actions. Ministry comes in various forms and is not confined to a text book or dictionary definition. Your ministry can be as small or as broad as your capacity to love and forgive take you. So as you live out your ministry of friendship know that no man is an island unto himself. There are gifts God has given you and work for you to do that can be accomplished by only you. There are blessings God wants to bestow on you through others and friendship/relationship is the vehicle he uses to accomplish some of these things. The ministry of friendship gives each of us an opportunity to set an example of humility, loyalty, and reconciliation for the world to see. Now your ministry could have its fair share of haters so don't be surprised when the devil gets busy trying to mess up your ministry. Just remind yourself that God is NOT the author of confusion. You'll also have your share of false friends trying to infiltrate the ranks of your ministry. Pray for the power of discernment rather than leaning on the tendency we all have to be judgmental. Some things do bear out over time. Remember, someone else's experience does not have to be yours. God's word tells us you will know them by their FRUIT. So what kind of FRUIT are you bearing and what kind are you harvesting? Why are you in that strawberry patch when you know you are allergic to them? Get over there with those peaches and harvest them instead. The fruit you need to give or receive may be up high rather than down low. It may require your ministry to traverse some rough terrain but the blessings and the benefits make it all worth it.
Finally remember that everyone who you receive under the ministry of friendship may not be of a mind or heart to reciprocate in like manner. Minister anyway! Some seeds are just for you to plant...not for you to see them grow. Some seeds are just for you to water or fertilize. Some seeds are for you to harvest and share.
We are all called to be apart of the ministry of friendship! Embrace your calling and allow God to use you!
© ENNA A. BACHELOR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2009
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