His Heart, My Home

What do you think of when you hear the words minister and ministry? You probably associate the word “minister”with your pastor, or maybe with an evangelist that you watch and listen to on TV. And when you think of “ministry” you probably think of serving and meeting the needs of people.

Those concepts are correct, but they are only part of the truth. There is an area of ministry that is not frequently taught or well understood by many in the Church. I’m speaking of ministering to the Lord.

Ministry, in its highest dimension, is to serve the Lord, and fulfill His desires.

Because the needs of people are so painfully obvious, and because we understand that Yahweh, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, is Himself all-sufficient, we might not think about ministering to Him.

But our ministry to the Lord is so important it should take precedence over every other type of ministry. People will always have needs that are pressing and plentiful, but we can only be effective in our ministry to others when we have our priorities in order.

Our highest calling is to the Lord of the work, not the work of the Lord!

We are to reach up first, in fellowship with, service to, and worship of God. Then, we will be equipped and energized to reach out to those around us, bringing God’s love and life-changing power into their lives.

After the exodus from Egypt, God chose and organized the descendants of Levi to be His ministers, His priests. They were to continually serve Him and facilitate His worship in the tabernacles, and later in the temples.

But with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, God chose and consecrated a new priestly order.

“But you are God’s chosen treasure — priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world.”
(1 Peter 2:9,10, Passion Translation)

It should be the utmost desire of the devoted to delight the One who delivered us from darkness and death.

Let’s look at the word translated as “minister” in the Old Testament. The word closest in meaning to our modern day understanding of “minister” is the Hebrew word “sharath”. This word refers to a high-ranking servant who personally attends to his master’s affairs, serving out of love and devotion, rather than necessity. We might call a person who serves in this capacity a steward, or a minister. There are many examples of these types of ministers. Here are two:

● Joseph, as a servant, had great authority in Potiphar’s house, taking care of all his master’s affairs. (Genesis 39:2-6)

● Joshua was Moses’ servant/minister and constantly stayed beside him, always ready to serve. (Exodus 24:1 and 33:11/Joshua 1:1)

The meaning of minister in today’s culture is quite simple. It means “to wait; to serve; to supply what is desired”.

The best example might be the waiter or maitre d’ hotel, who asks the customer, “How may I serve you today?” Then, the waiter stands patiently, listening for the response. The only priority of the waiter or waitress is to serve with excellence, satisfying the wants and desires of his or her client.

Since we are His bond-servants, priests, and ministers, shouldn’t we ask our Master what He wants?

First, let’s get into a “minister mind-set”:

“Let us go into His tabernacle; let us worship at His footstool. Arise, O Lord, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength.”
(Psalm 132:7,8)

Now we have come into His presence, and are inviting Him to relax, and be comfortable as we serve Him.

“For the Lord has chosen Zion. He has desired it for His dwelling place; ‘This is my resting place forever; here, I will dwell, for I have desired it.”
(Psalm 132:13,14)

The Lord is telling us exactly what He wants. He desires a place of rest, a place where He can dwell forever. He doesn’t want rest because He is lazy, weary, or sleepy. The type of rest He wants is different.

The word translated as “rest” in our verses is the Hebrew word “menuchah” (Waiters, take note: The Lord is telling us what He wants from the “menu”.)

The word “menuchah” means: “a place of ease and comfort; a rest of love.”

Think of this: God is both omnipresent (present in every place and time simultaneously) and omniscient (all-knowing). Since He hears every thought and word generated by humanity, unfortunately His ears and mind are “assaulted” non-stop, 24/7, with false accusations, slanders, blasphemies, and hateful words directed at Him.

Yes, He is long-suffering, loving, and merciful to those who ignorantly or maliciously think and say hurtful things, But the desire of His heart is to enjoy the presence of those who understand, know and love Him. We are His place of rest!
Even though the Father “so loves the world” and “is not willing for any to perish”, He knows that He can enjoy a special type of fellowship and communion with us.

“For the eyes of the Lord, run to-and-fro through-out the whole world, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Jesus said it like this: “For God is a Spirit, and He longs to have sincere worshippers who adore Him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth.”
(John 4:24, Passion Translation)

This same verse in the Expanded Bible reads. “The Father is actively seeking such people to worship Him.”

The word “seek” is translated from the Greek word “zeteo” and means “to seek; to desire; to require.”

The root word of “zeteo” is the Greek word “zeo” which means “passion; zeal.”

Jesus was saying, that the Father is actively, passionately, and zealously seeking those who know, appreciate, and love Him, through His Spirit and His Word.

When we invite and welcome Him into our presence through personal or corporate worship  He responds with His manifested presence.

Knowing that reality makes it so much easier to fellowship with Him. When we lift our hearts and hands to Him, He responds to the longing of our hearts, because that is also the longing of His heart, to intimately commune with us.

(* Example: Children often run to their parents with outstretched arms, wanting to be picked up and loved. This is exactly what that parent wants also.)

It’s time for honesty… When was the last time you “felt His presence”? Now go a step further. Honestly ask yourself, “When was the last time Abba “felt my presence”, heart and soul yearning for Him, with outstretched arms and open heart?

He is always available to commune with you. He is always longing for time with you. He is never too busy for you. He is just waiting for your invitation.

He will sit with you in peace-filled silence, if that’s what you want or need. (Psalm 46:10)

He will be so tuned into your prayers, and your supplications, that He will answer you before you can even voice them. (Isaiah 65:24)

He will rejoice over you with singing. And you will thrill His heart with your songs of praise and worship, expressing your gratitude, love, and devotion to Him. (Zephaniah 3:17)

If that’s the earnest desire of your heart, for a deeper more intimate communion with Him, take that first step of faith. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” (James 4:8)

Open your heart to Him. He will not judge you or condemn you. He has already accepted you as Hus precious child. Lift up your hands to Him in trust and love.

Then pray this out loud: Abba-Father, here I am! I long for your presence! I need you, and I ask you to come meet with me today! You are welcome here, Lord! Stay here, Lord! Rest here with me! Let me abide with you moment-by-moment. Fill every part of me with your love! I am yours!