It’s All Just One Big Pile of Ministry The young man kneeling in broad daylight caught my eye. Prayer posture can take many a form and I took note. Focused he was as he bent low right there in the middle of the day smack dab in the middle of the sanctuary.
I was thankful to be an observer of and although I tried not to gawk, it was hard not to. His hands were bent at the elbow with tool in tow. Like an artist, he was creating for the body of Christ. The doors opened and closed several times as people came and went, but the young man did not so much as even look in their direction. Quietly, I watched so as not to disturb. Servant leader perhaps was his strength as steeped knee deep on them, he remained.
The day was sunny and with the last of the snow now gone, you’d think the young man would be out for a run. Minimally, you’d think he’d be at least be out of doors walking in the woods enjoying the day. But not this guy, in church he remained attentive to his task and the quiet of the day drawled on. Hours lapsed as if it were mere minutes while the sunshine beckoned to take a breather. Steadfast he remained, and as the hours piled up, so did my appreciation for the ministry being done. I could no longer refrain—I just had to say it.
“Thank you!” I spoke it loud enough to jolt him to attention. Up he looked as if surprised anyone had taken note. “Thank you for your ministry! You do know what you do is ministry, don’t you?” He smiled as if to say he hadn’t considered it as such. “You just laid the foundation for a whole church body to be able to enter into this place of worship come Sunday morning. You helped create an atmosphere of welcome with your skills. You minister to all of us. Thank you!”
I meant every word. You see, two days prior, the men and women of the church gathered to shake things up a bit. They removed the old carpet which had served its purpose over the past decades. Appreciate we did the saints who left a space of grace in which we could minister to many a family for many a year. Now, it was time to give it a heave-hoe and make it a place to gather for the future generations who will come after.
This young man, along with the two others in the crew, blessed us with their professional skills as carpet installers. Intently and gently, they worked as one to get the job done for Sunday morn.
It’s all just one big pile of ministry you know. From iPads to knee pads, the work on behalf of those who walk beside us this side of the veil is needed. Gifts given to spend on others is pure prayer.
Prayer comes in many a form. It may look like painters painting, old carpet rolled up or new carpet rolled out on bended knee, truck driver delivering church chairs while kneeling upon metal to grab hold of the load—tis all a gift. 1 Cor. 12:12, 14 speaks. “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its parts form one body, so it is with Christ. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” So goes the process of becoming more like Christ this side of the veil—tis all just one big pile of ministry. Amen.
