Read Acts 3:1-6.
Often we believe we must minister according to patterns laid out for us by others. We read books on ministry and admire those who are able, but then look at our own resources and decide ministry is for those who have special abilities.
When I went to the mission field in obedience to God’s call, I had no idea what I would be doing. I am an extreme introvert. I do not have administrative skills. I get bored easily. And I avoid large groups of people. If God had told me, “I want you to teach English as a foreign language,” I would not have been excited about it. It is a good thing He sprang it on me as He did. I am teaching EFL, and it’s nothing like what I imagined!
We can read all the books in the world on ministry, but we cannot guess what He is able to do with what we have. Peter and John went to the temple to pray, met a man with deep needs, and were able to meet his need with what God had given them to give to others.
We look at ministry like a fast moving merry go round already in motion … believing we’re the invalids trying to hop on. However, if we look within our own playground, we may find that there is a merry go round waiting for us to give it a push.
Father, thanks for reminding us that You don’t call the equipped, You equip the called. Help us walk faithfully in the ministry You’ve given us. Amen.
-from a missionary to Russia and the Caucasus