Jonathan's Ministry

"Today was Pastor Wilson's birthday, and our Sunday school department had a party for him," announced Jonathan on the way home from church. "It would be fun to be a minister. That's what I'm going to be when I grow up."

Dad smiled. "I don't know how much 'fun' it would be," he said, "but I'm sure it's rewarding."

"Could we stop at Grannie Nelson's and check on her before we go home?" asked Mom. Dad nodded.

"Do we have to?" Jonathan groaned. "I'm starved, and you know how she talks and talks and talks."

"She's lonely," replied Mom, "and she needs somebody to minister to her."

"If she needs a preacher, shouldn't you tell Pastor Wilson?" asked Jonathan.

"I didn't say she needed a 'preacher,'" said Mom with a smile. "What I said was that Grannie Nelson needs a 'minister.' Not all of us can be preachers, but we can all be ministers-even you, Jonathan! You just said you want to be one."

"That's what I want to be when I grow up," said Jonathan. "That is, if I don't starve to death first-I'm hungry." He frowned. "But I'm not old enough to be a minister now."

"Sure you are," said Mom. "One definition of 'minister' is 'servant.' So today you can minister to Grannie Nelson-you can serve her."

"Aw-w-w," Jonathan growled. "You're just kidding, aren't you? Pastor Wilson isn't a servant."

"He certainly is," Dad corrected. "He is a servant of God, and he serves other people."

"If you're not willing to serve others, Jonathan, you cannot be a minister," added Mom.

"You learned about Samuel and how he ministered unto the Lord, even when he was a child, didn't you?" Dad asked as they turned into Grannie Nelson's driveway. "He did that by serving Eli. He probably did such things as light the lamp in the tabernacle, sweep the floors, and run errands."

Jonathan took a deep breath, "Well, that isn't exactly how I had it pictured, but . . . okay, I guess I'd better start now. Maybe Grannie Nelson needs her sidewalk swept."

How About You?

Did you know that you can be a "minister" of God right now? You're His minister when you serve Him by serving others. Look around you. Find one person today to whom you can be a minister. You may be surprised how much fun it is! And as you serve people, you are actually ministering to the Lord.

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