By Karen Y. Stevens

Diakonia is the Greek word in the New Testament that is often translated as “ministry”. The meaning is “service” which is the root of “ministry”. Diakonia is service of any kind.

In 1 Corinthians 10:31 it states “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Ephesians 4:11-12 states “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be Pastors and Teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service (diakonia), so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

Notice Paul said these leaders are to prepare God’s people for works of service, so we (the congregation) can build God’s church. Once again, that’s service of any kind, not just church service.

Don’t think you don’t have a gift to serve, because you do. There are so many ways we can “minister” to one another, but so many times we look past those acts. They are either done out of habit, out of drudgery, or without thought.

Colossians 3:23-24 states, “Whatever you do, work it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”

You can wait on tables and be in ministry. You can write on every customer’s bill, a scripture. You are spreading God’s word, and you don’t even have to say a thing. Every Halloween (up until the last few years), I would always print out a couple hundred scriptures, mainly John 3:16, and staple it to each piece of candy I gave out.

It did take some initial planning, because I had to buy candy that had a twist on the end, print the scriptures, cut each one, and staple each one to the twisty end.

This was so rewarding for me, because I could spread God’s word just by standing at my front door. I didn’t just shut my door, turn out the lights and say “no, I will not participate in this holiday”. I found a way to minister to kids. Kids that might not ever go to church.

Many of the children would ask what the paper said. I told them to have their parents read it to them, which meant the parents read God’s word as well.

We need to be looking for ways to take back the things that got turned away from God and reclaim them.

Easter is coming up soon, and so many of us put emphasis on eggs, the Easter bunny and candy, when the real reason we celebrate, is the best thing in the world; Jesus, coming back to life after three days, and showing His disciples He was the real deal. They watched Him ascend back into heaven, which gave proof and a testimony to each one that saw Him, and in turn, they shared with us the Good News!

In Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan, and how the Samaritan helped the beat-up man on the side of the road.

Jesus sums up the story with “Go and do likewise.” Good words to live by.

Are you looking for ways to be a good Samaritan?

 

Karen Y. Stevens is founder of Orange County Christian Writers Guild