The call to FULL TIME MINISTRY

Abraham at age 75 was called by God to postpone his retirement and START A NATION. These stories from Genesis regarding Abraham and his faithfulness speak volumes to me. 
Today, when I think of Full Time Ministry I think of a missionary or preacher, BUT this narrow definition of ministry lets the rest of us non-preacher folk off the hook. 
If ministry was reserved only for preachers and missionaries I would be left to center my life on ME. More hours for reality TV, and all the delivery pizza I could stomach.  
But.. 

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Full Time Ministry is .. what we are all called to.  Full time ministry is being faithful in the moments that make up the day without ever preaching a sermon from a pulpit or going overseas on a mission field.  
I look around my community, city and country I see the obvious need for God is greater than can be handled by fulltime preachers and missionaries. Teachers, carpenters, business men, factory workers, and every other nook and cranny of society needs the compassionate hands and feet of Christ demonstrated by every day folk.  
There is even a place for those chosen few who like to draw cartoons... like me. 
So in summary.. Many are called to be a pastors, or serve on a mission field in another land BUT .. ALL are called to preach sermons with the words and deeds in the moments and contacts that make up our day. 
Abraham was faithful to God's road trip call on his life and became the father of a nation. But while Abe was a great man of faith he had a few less than stellar moments.  Most notably..

• He told others Sarah was his sister to protect himself.
• He slept with Sarah's servant at the request of Sarah? Duh!
  

So it is clear by Abraham's example.. being perfect is not a requirement for full time ministry but being faithful is. I suddenly feel very qualified and so should you.
The question now is .. Will we be faithful to God's call on each of our imperfect lives?  
If.. we are found to be intentional and FAITHFUL in our service God will bless and use each of us in FULL TIME MINISTRY in big and small ways as He chooses.  
Love God, Care for others.. the rest is trivia in comparison.

Blessings, Jeff (in the Back Pew) Larson

final note: Being faithful is the right thing to do always, BUT realize.. there may be PAIN.

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