Ministry” is derived from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning “to serve.” Every believer is called into ministry to serve Jesus and His body. Jesus came to earth to serve others and calls us to follow His lead in selflessness and compassion for others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is human to seek after the cravings of our flesh, but in Christ Jesus, we can turn from old ways. The Holy Spirit empowers us to set our selfishness aside to follow Jesus in service of others. That kind of lifestyle starts with our mindset. Bible study and spiritual discipline allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, shifting our focus to eternal and spiritual matters. The longer we walk with the Lord, the more able we are to hold up under the temptations of worldly thinking and fleshly desires. Our behavior and attitude change as God gives us the desire to love, obey, and serve Him fervently! Selfish living isn’t an option for Christ followers! In dying to our selfish ways, our lives bring glory to God. We may feel pain and joy as the light of God shows up in other people’s lives. He does not leave us to our strength to follow the command to love and serve one another. God empowers us to surrender to Him and His ways entirely. Our love for Him and others will grow stronger with each obedient step. Every passing day, by God’s grace, we mature and cultivate a heart to serve others for His glory! Who is God asking you to serve? What selfish desires do you need to put aside to put someone else’s life before yours? Are you too busy or distracted to serve or pray for others? Let’s take some time and write down those who might come to mind. Who can you minister to, even if it is just a simple phone call to encourage someone or invite a new couple from your church over for dinner? May God empower us to choose others above ourselves and show the love of Christ with great compassion.

Prayer:

Written by “Education for Justice,” a project of the Ignatian Solidarity Network that brings social teaching resources to worldwide users.

Sharing the loaves and fishes,

You gave us an image of solidarity with the hungry, O Lord.

Sharing yourself in the bread and wine,

You called all to the table, O Lord.

Give me the hunger to be a part of the feeding

And the healing of this world.

Nourish me with your Grace,

So I may work with joy to serve your children.

Open my eyes and my heart

To recognize those in poverty

And increase my awareness

Of the structures and systems

That need to be changed

So we may all break bread together.

In your name we pray for the end of hunger. Amen.