At training camp and launch we talked a lot about life is ministry ministry is life and how that applies to the Race. I heard it, but put it out of my mind because I had idea of what a ministry was supposed to look like on the Race. Our first day in South Africa was an off/adventure day and my views on life is ministry changed quickly.
A friend, Caroline, and I went wine tasting and met a guy from Germany. He asked us what we were doing and he said we were missionaries who were exploring the town before we started working. It started an interesting conversation because he didn’t realize missionaries had “normal lives“ or did “normal things”. In talking with him we found out he’s agnostic. He is focused on doing good works, but he’s missing the most important thing: a relationship with the Lord. He grew up Hindi and was very familiar with following rules because it’s what you were told.
During our time with him I shared how the Race has changed my view of Christianity. Relationship with God is way more important than religion. Religion gives you a bunch of rules and tells you what you cannot do. There is a lot of shame and judgment. A relationship with the Lord invites you in and shows you love. It’s full of grace and truth, free of condemnation. A relationship with the Lord makes you want to be obedient because you want to be closer to Him and when you’re focused on Him the desires of the world fade away.
We talked for several hours and it felt like the conversation was going in circles, but in the end, he was open to hearing the gospel. Meeting this man reminds me that there’s never an “off day“ of ministry. Everything you do and everyone you encounter is an opportunity to share the love of God. It doesn’t have to look like college evangelism. Most of the time it’s a conversation and your love for God just comes pouring out, you just have to be willing to listen to the prompting the Holy Spirit.
Life is ministry and ministry is life.
So so good! It was so fun to see how excited you both were about this day
Shelby I am encouraged by your words today. Life is ministry and ministry is life.
What a privilege it is to know Jesus personally! May we always remember that sharing the love of God is the greatest expression of love to those around us. Wherever we are and with whoever He puts in our path…just like the man you and Caroline met.
We continue to pray for you and the team as you spread the wonderful , marvelous and life changing message of Jesus, the Savior of the world.
Wow! This is what it’s all about! Jumping up and down with excitement that you got to have this conversation with that guy!
I especially love this line: “A relationship with the Lord makes you want to be obedient because you want to be closer to Him and when you’re focused on Him the desires of the world fade away.” There’s not one thing I want on earth that I want more than being with God forever (because with Him we have abundance and all we could ever want or desire!)