My spiritual journey has taken me in the book of Acts today: Here is the scripture that stands out - Acts 20:32 "Now I'm turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends. 33 "I've never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. 34 With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. 35 In everything I've done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You'll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, 'You're far happier giving than getting.'"
Over this past week I have had the privilege to see several groups of believers: The Havins' Security Unit (prison) in Brownwood - already blogged about this earlier, Youth detention center (prison) for girls located in Brownwood - yesterday played at a memorial service for child of a resident of the detention center in which the newborn only lived a few days, a group of economic leaders of Brownwood (men and women) all of whom I speculate were believers, our church Wednesday program then tonight I will meet with the Arts Council of Brownwood. It is pretty easy to see that I have a pretty eclectic circle of opportunities for ministry.
As I grow older those words of Paul become more real to me. Seeing men/women minister in each of these areas with distinct purpose often for little financial compensation was inspirational. At the memorial service yesterday the husband and wife sang "Somebody's praying..." (her voice was a dead-ringer {no pun intended} for Patsy Cline) to this grieving group of young girls, teachers, guards and warden. Last night at church watching so many teenagers interact with each other - praying, singing, hugging, tears etc.. I hope and pray that I can always view my opportunities as a minister as something other than a job. Well, I should get to work.
Was that an oxymoron?
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