It's Time to Do Something Different
So many of us get caught up with the idea that marketplace ministry is all about evangelism. Is that true?
All you have to do is read the Gospels to know that marketplace ministry is about much more than just evangelism. Let’s look at the scriptures. The time that Jesus spent with people in the marketplace was often spent getting to know them. It wasn’t always about showing them the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus spent time ministering to the needs of people. Jesus spent time having conversations and meals with people. Yes, there were times where Jesus forgave the sins of somebody then healed them and sent them on their way.
It's so important that we start doing things differently. Take a look at the six people you regularly interact with at work - I would venture to guess that you don't know very much about them. Do you know their spouses or significant others’ names? Do you know their kids’ names? Do you know anything about their parents? Do you know anything about their home life? When they go home at the end of the day – what is life like?
Do you know anything about their financial situation? Do you know anything about their living conditions? Do you know what their favorite hobbies are? Do you know what their favorite food is? Do you know what their love language is?
Over the next month my challenge to you is to get to know these three things:
Get to know everything about this person and their family – names and where they live
Get to know some of their favorite foods and favorite things to do.
Learn what their love language is. Find out a way that you can show Jesus’ love to them. (Listen to this podcast episode for more on this topic)
If you start to focus your prayer time on these six people as you're learning about them, God's heart will shape your heart so that you can see them the way that our Heavenly Father sees them. It will transform everything. It will make your workplace a mission field, your assigned place of ministry.
After you've taken this challenge, please send me an e-mail and let me know what happened. I would love to hear your story. You can e-mail me at Jim@iWork4Him.com.
Have Fun,
Jim
PS. Yes, you can actually start something like this in the summer.
About the Author, Jim Brangenberg
Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!