A ministry of Reconciliation

Time is a funny thing. A lot changes in just a short period of time, or... nothing changes in a long period of time. I have changed a lot in the past 2 years. I have waffled back and forth in several directions and I still wonder where I'll be in just a few short months. I don't know that I have the answer. What I do know is that I have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Really, we have all been given the ministry of reconciliation according to 2 Corinthians, but I have been given the ministry of reconciliation. It is my call to put a choice in front of people and force (not by physical force of course) them to make a decision one way or the other.

It's kind of funny though because this is coming from me. I have been dry, spiritually speaking. I have been sinning "more" in recent months. I have been doubting "more" in recent months. All of this to say that it comes from a 'less that perfect' candidate for this "ministry" of reconciliation. The thing is, I may be the most qualified type of candidate.

Think about it, can you speak of grace unless you have experienced it? Can you talk of obedience unless you have learned to be disciplined? Can you talk of love unless you have felt love, and given it freely? It is the same with the ministry of reconciliation, can you speak of it unless you have known it? Reconciliation is like getting saved, it is being restored and made right. For some, they must be reconciled for the first time which results in salvation. For others (such as myself), I must be reconciled periodically when I wander from "The Way". So it is no surprise then that I, of all people, would be called to such a ministry.

I know what some of you are thinking... "It's the same hypocritical Christianity preaching down to me from 'on high'". But that's not it at all. I am a sinner. I have messed up, and I will mess up again. Surprise surprise! There are sinners in the church! Wow. This is why that ministry of reconciliation is so key to the vitality of the church and those surrounding the church. We are all in need of a savior every day. For me I need to be saved from my fleshly urges and selfish desires. Some need to be saved from their sins that keep them bound in hell instead of free in heaven.

Eternity is just a breath away. You can't see it, but in the dimension next door lies your fate, your destiny, your final location. So chose wisely whom you shall follow. No doubt you will follow someone or something, but only one Way leads to life and freedom. All other roads lead to death and hell itself. I say this not to pronounce judgment, that is not my place. It is my place however to present the facts of the case and provide you with a choice, you either chose His Way, or you do not. This is the ministry of reconciliation.

So how can I go to Youth Venture, or Mexico, or Haiti, or the store and neglect this message? How can you? Just a thought. Take it or leave it, the choice is yours anyway...