Why So Separate? [Food for Thought]

For a while I have resisted myself from sharing on this particular subject. There are a number of reasons: one of them being that most people might hold a different view to what I have in mind. Oh, but this isn’t one of those politically sensitive topics – that is not the area I’ll ever go into. To bring it to a better clarity, I’ll just tell you what I wish to discuss about in this post.

Ministry.

Yup, ministry – this mysterious concept that has been constantly tackled, spoken about in church environments. Why, you may think, is it that I have chosen to talk about this topic? Well, you see, I’m simply intrigued by the questions that people ask when I declare that I will serve God with my life.

The questions you get include: are you thinking about going into missions/full-time evangelism? Are you going to be a pastor/work in a church?

These questions boggle my mind, not that there’s anything wrong with asking them, though I must admit that once upon a time I too think quite similarly when it comes to ministry. But over the years, God has expanded my understanding of what ministry can be and is meant to be.

This is what I want to address here. Oftentimes when I hear people talk about serving God, they equate it to serving in a church environment. It almost brings the connotation that church is the only place we ordinary people can serve God. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying volunteering in a church is not a form of serving God. Of course, it is; caring for one another is important. But what puzzles me is that there is where people stop. They don’t go beyond the walls of a building. It is as if as soon as anyone steps outside the church, the idea of serving God turns into vapour and ‘real life’ begins (unless it involves something to do with missions.)

Why must it be so separate? Why must there be a need to distinguish the two? Why can’t we let what we do in our daily lives be a form of serving God? If we were to call ourselves Christians, then shouldn’t every moment of lives be ‘ministry’, be a way we serve God? Shouldn’t we be embodying worship in how we choose to live? Why only within the four walls? Why only in front of people?

Additionally, is God really so limited to a space?

Many people may disagree with what I’m about to say, and that’s okay! We don’t have to agree on everything. But hear me out here – God is not limited to any church building. God is not confined to a box created by humans. If He can somehow be kept in one place, then how can He be with us wherever we go and how can He watch over us? The very moment the veil tore, the Spirit of God is released into the world. There no longer needs to be a separation between the ‘outside’ world and the selected community. God cannot be contained, not in the ark, not in the temple, and not in a church building.

So, why does a separation need to exist today when it comes to ministry (aka serving God)?

Serving in a church building is important for any church to function. Churches need volunteers to help them run. But asking the question 'in which ministry do you think you can serve God in?' is not exactly the 'proper' notion. Serving in a church is all about looking out for one another like people do in a family, and there ought to be something more outside that environment.

My point is: shouldn’t we take what God has called us to do with our lives as serious as the so-called 'serving in church'? Shouldn’t we all heed to what God wants us to do and dedicate our breathes to it? If serving God is only within the walls of a building, the chance of serving God is very limited.

Much to the contrary of common belief, ministry ought not to be within the fours walls of a building, neither should it be limited to a ‘mission field’. Ministry is whatever God has called us to do. Who is to say that the 40 odd hours we spend per week is not serving God? We spend most of our energy there, so why let all that go to waste? Are we to say that we give only 10% of our time to God, aka Sundays and church activities? That is quite nonsensical if you think about it. Now, don’t get all twisted in thinking that whatever you choose to do is serving God – it has everything to do with your heart, your intention and whether your desire aligns with that of God’s, so definitely have it checked!

There are many passionate young people out there who want to be involved in ministry somehow. And the idea that this can only be done inside a church or a Christian organisation really limits what God can do through their lives. Again, there is nothing wrong with wanting to go on a mission trip or be involved in different ‘ministry’ groups in church. But it is also important to realise that the mission is right in front of our eyes, right where we are at – the mission is to embody love in the place where we find most difficult, whether that be workplace, school or even at home. (Sometimes, it is a lot harder to love those who are closer to us...)

It doesn’t matter what God has called you to do – it may have something to do with the political/legal system, medical sector, filmmaking/music/performing arts industry, literary/publishing industry, education or other areas - you ought to know that THAT is your ministry, for what's the use of spending so much time doing it when there is no reason for it? To summarise what is written in Ecclesiastes, everything is meaningless if not done for God.

So the next time someone ask you: What are you doing to serve God?

I hope you can confidently say: Everything. I dedicate my life to do what God has called me to do, to be a [fill in your calling/s]. That is my ministry.

Leave comments below if you have any, but as always, be mindful of others and refrain from posting any hateful speech targeting any group in particular, and because I am extremely intolerant towards that sort of behaviour, your comment will be deleted. Disagreements should be done so in love, meaning no trashing. Also, I don't welcome trolls, as they are meant to stay in storybooks! Thanks for reading!