Could My Job Be Considered Ministry?

Have you ever thought about the ways you are doing ministry at your current job? You may be doing ministry every single day and not even realize it. The definition of ministry is this: “the act of serving.” So if you have a job, then techinacally you have opportunities to serve someone every time you walk in the doors at work.

Maybe you are a banker and think, “My job isn’t ministry because I am just here to count money.” Your job is more than just counting money! When someone walks through the doors of that bank an opportunity is presented to you. An opportunity to smile, express love and to serve. That is what Jesus did and what he commands us to do.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34 ESV)

We get to be Jesus to the communities that we live in and to the people that we interact with. I recently had an opportunity to display love to someone just like Jesus has displayed love to me. This happened at my job, Wal-Mart. Now you wouldn’t think that ministry happens at Walmart but it DOES EVERYDAY.

A couple of weeks ago I was on my fifteen minute break at work. It was hot outside and I was sitting in my car pondering on what I would be doing the rest of the day work. Ten or so minutes into my break I look at the parking spot right across from nine and there sat a van that was at least an 1980 something model with the cream-colored paint fading away and falling off. It appeared that as if someone might have been living in this van and I saw a woman sitting inside in the driver’s seat. What happened after I saw the woman gave me cold chills and put me in a spot where I had to make a move quick.

God whispered to me, “Go and ask her does she know my son Jesus.” I thought…um…I don’t know about this one God I might sit this one out. I had two choices to make on that day:

1. Gain the courage to ask her and she might be changed
2. Sit back and watch as she drove away leaving me with an empty place of disobedience to God.

To do what God wants us to do is going to require us setting aside our comfort zone and preferences.

I got out of that car knowing what I was supposed to do. I approached the lady at her window and asked, “Do you have a relationship with Jesus?” and I bet you can guess what her answer was…no. She didn’t have one. You see, when God tells us to do something it’s not just for the heck of it, it’s because a difference needs to be made and the gospel needs to be shared. I prayed over that woman begging God to bless her and save her. I got the opportunity to make a difference in that woman’s life only because I listened to what Jesus said.

What is Jesus telling you to do today? Maybe at work there is one particular person that you know you are supposed to talk to but don’t have the courage to. Take that step and ask them because an eternity could be altered all because you took a step of obedience. When a customer comes up and is having a bad day serve them, make them feel like they are welcomed. It will always keep them coming back and it is doing what Jesus commanded us to do.