It is easy to paint an imaginary picture of pastoral ministry and/or the people we maybe one day could minister to.
But the reality is that God brings upon our path those He desires that we pastor.
This doesn’t let us off the hook for seeking people out, or for praying for more open doors or for being open to making new friendships or nurturing the ones that we have.
But instead it reminds us that we don’t have to force something, we don’t have to spend all our time daydreaming about some invisible maybe someday people.
Instead we can love those God brings before our minds eye or physically in front of us.
And then we can listen. Be inquisitive. Show compassion. Speak gently. Share the gospel. Pray with them.
And before you know it you will step back and realize that God has indeed allowed you the privilege and opportunity to serve and pastor another person in His name and for His glory.
I hope you will pray with me and be open to the people God connects you with (no matter who they are, how your paths cross or how different they are than us). I just don’t want to miss what God has for me or for them.
Christ is with us, Christ is in us
Mike J
Pastor Michael Johnson 