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The Lie Christians Believe



It is easy to believe the lie that what we are doing with our life isn’t good enough. Whether it’s a job or a hobby, we can easily be convinced that we aren't impacting this world for Christ unless our day job is full-time ministry.


I will take this a step further.


Some of us believe that we're not good enough Christians if we aren’t pastoring, leading Bible studies, writing faith-based blogs, or founding a non-profit. If you don’t feel this way, someone you know, or your kids, might.


My daughter came home from school and shared that a boy in her class said that he would probably be a pastor because he couldn’t be anything else and be a good Christian. Of course, she wondered if this was true. It sounded off to her, but she needed to confirm with her wise (Ha!) parents.


That question and its validity distracted her and threatened to steal her freedom in Christ.


When we are distracted, the enemy has done the job he wants to do.

We slow down.

We question our calling.

We are sidetracked.


The enemy of our soul wants nothing more than to confuse us in hopes that we question what God has called us to do. He wants us to be paralyzed.


Why wouldn’t he? If we fall for it, his job is easy.


As humans, we’re so good at overcomplicating everything.


It is vital that we remember three things as we participate in any work or play that God has given us a desire to pursue.


Whether working at an accounting firm, running a marathon, playing pickle ball, becoming a nurse, or teaching at a public school, put God first and love him with your entire heart. Be a light and love everyone around you. Always remember that wherever you find yourself, you ARE in the ministry.


1. Put God first.


The Bible says that our greatest command is to love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind. (Matthew 22:36-38)


We have a choice every day that we wake up. We can take on the day in our own strength or take on the day with God leading us.


I got really stressed recently over scheduling issues. Three of my four kids are in sports, so scheduling has become my sport. (See what I did there? Ha.)


I felt my stress start to turn into anger and negativity. In my mind, I thought about how insignificant sports are to our actual purpose. Do you want to know how I got rid of those thoughts and feelings?


I told God that if He truly wanted my kids involved in these activities, He would have to work it out. If he wants my family at the ball field, being a light for him, then He will work it out. The same goes for soccer and gymnastics.



I put God first in the middle of our extra-curricular activities. He will either work it out or give us the wisdom to let it go.

I love the freedom of putting God first and handing EVERYTHING over to him, because it is all ministry. Everything I do. Everywhere my family goes.


I have some of my greatest and deepest conversations during baseball games. It’s like a weird version of a church small group. The crowd is cheering, coaches are shouting, kids are cheering or crying, and it’s one of the best ministries I have ever been a part of.


It is ministry, because I put God first.


2. Be a light.


The Bible says the second greatest command for us is to love our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:39)


There is no better way to be a light than to love the people around you by simply living for Jesus.



I had a boss once that wasn’t a Christian whenever I worked for him. Our lifestyles were drastically different, but we worked well together.


Years later, I heard that he became a Christian. I’m not taking credit for it, but I sure believe that if I had been a jerk or acted superior it wouldn’t have helped the situation.


At the time, I was too young to understand that I was a light to my boss. I met him where he was in life. I wasn’t perfect. I was loving.


I worked hard. I showed respect. When the Lord led me elsewhere, he saw me walk away for a God-given calling that was not a better position or higher pay.


Being a light won’t always look glamorous. It won’t likely be easy. You’ll find yourself around broken people and situations you’d prefer not to be in, but the Kingdom impact will be immeasurable.


3. You ARE in the ministry.

Every person on this planet has something in common with pastors, Bible teachers, and non-profit managers.


We are all in the ministry. I want you to remember this.



Just like I want my daughter to know that she can be a gymnast and a cheerleader and still be a good Christian, I want you to know it too. Christ died for us, and then said go. (Matthew 28:19)


People expect to be ministered to when they walk into a church or faith-based organization. They don’t expect it in the workplace where competition and stress are high. They don’t expect it at the YMCA or Burn Boot Camp. Sharing the love of Jesus when it is unexpected is when lives are truly changed.


Dinners. Meetings. Walks. Runs. Coffee breaks. Water cooler chats.


I can’t help but think that these are the places and activities Jesus was thinking about when he said go. I say it all the time. The people and places right in front of you are your ministry.

I encourage you to not believe the lie that your work and passions aren’t having an impact for the Kingdom of God. Your Kingdom impact is more than you’ll probably ever see this side of heaven.



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