So the people shouted, and priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city. (Joshua 6:20, NASB)
I see a lot of miracles in a golf ministry, though not necessarily on the golf course. It is a miracle in itself that God would use any of us in his ministry! But the truth is that anyone who has received the gift of grace is in ministry, even if you get your paycheck from someone else.
Let me set the foundation for this explanation. Once, the disciples fished all night and caught nothing. “Jesus shouted to them, ‘Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.’ So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish” (John 21:6). An incredible miracle by all accounts!
When they came to shore, they realized that Jesus had already started a breakfast of fish and bread over a charcoal fire. Jesus was so kind to include them in this breakfast and mercifully said, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught” (John 21:10).
Wow! “Some of the fish you have caught.”
So ministry is simply placing some of the fish we have caught (and he sovereignly provided) alongside the fish he has already prepared—so that we all can be a part of this scrumptious “meal.” God provides the miracles; we simply use what he has already given us to partner in ministry with him.
Ministry is asking someone to breakfast and a Bible study (a Links Fellowship, perhaps!). The miracle is a changed heart, a commitment to follow Jesus, and perhaps a reconciled marriage or a now-ethical business or a dismissal of all arrogance. Yes, God has allowed us to see these miracles in our Fellowships. He will allow you the same when you bring the fish he has given you to the table of ministry.
Like those first disciples, we are called to be fishers of men. It’s God’s job to clean the fish.
We sow seeds in prayer and invitation and conversation. Then we look for God’s miracles.
God can call any of us today into ministry. I really believe this. He called Noah to build a boat, Abraham to up and move, Joshua to march around a city, Daniel to eat a wholesome meal. All these things look so non-spiritual on the outside–except that they represent a willingness on the inside to simply obey God’s instructions. That is all we need to know; that is all we need to do. The miracle comes at the end of obedience. As we are obedient, we might just see walls come tumbling down. You can then tell others, “It wasn’t me. I’m just in sales. God is in the business of management and miracles. I simply put the fish he provided alongside his. To God be the glory!”
—
Randy Wolff
July 5, 2012
Copyright 2012 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.