I used to think that to serve the Lord, to do ministry
work, is to actually work for a church, to be an actual pastor of some form.
But scripture doesn’t say that. No, 1 Peter 2:9 states,
“But you are a
chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession,
that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.”
So, regardless of what my paycheck stub says Jesus says I
am a holy priesthood and that I can declare praises to him! But how exactly
does that play out in my current job?
For months and months I struggled with being on fire for
the Lord but having to work an oilfield job. I would say, “GOD! Why can’t I get
a job for a church! I could totally bring people to you”! I just couldn’t understand
why he had me here at my current job making plots, tracking production, and
studying well failures….I mean, does Jesus even care about oil production and
well failures?
This went on for months. There have been even days here
recently that I have struggled with my purpose for Christ here at work;
especially after having to walk out some tough stuff that involved a couple of
coworkers. But God is good and He is always there to lead, guide, and direct me
(us) when I (we) seek him.
The past two days have been a little rough in the oil
patch. I heard of a couple accidents on some well service rigs and my heart
jumped into my throat. I knew I had to pray for them and praise the Lord that
they were safe and not dead! So yesterday as I entered the details of an
accident and those involved the Lord whispered something sweet to me. He said,
“This is your ministry. You may not be preaching in the courtyard and people
may not be pouring into your office with prayer requests but there are prayer
points to be prayed over and people who need to be prayed for and you are here
to do that.”
Over the last 24 hours I have been repeating those words
over and over in my head and in my heart. “People who need to be prayed for and
you are here to do that”…. I googled, yes I googled because Google can lead you
to Jesus too, scripture that goes with what the Lord had spoken to me. This is
what I found and I am in LOVE with it…
“But you should
keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the
Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry
God has given you.” 2 Timothy 4:5
Hmmm….”Work at telling other the Good News, and fully carry
out the ministry God has given you”…..the ministry God has given me! When I
take 1 Peter 2:9 and 2 Timothy 4:5 and align it with my position here at work I
can see the purpose God has for me here. These truths have really encouraged me
and let me know that my time here is not wasted.
So I can no longer think that I am a girl wasting her time with
an oilfield job tracking production and well failures. Nope! My identity, my
calling is this:
A minister to the company I work for. I pray for those who
are employed by, contracted to, or associated with this company. I love on
those who need encouragement. I listen to those who want to be heard when no
one else will listen. I walk a walk that allows others to see Christ alive in
my life. My decisions, actions, mistakes, and how I react to the situations
around me are opportunities to share Christ with others. Sometimes I mess up.
Some days I can walk it out better than others but I am a testimony of a
forgiving God who humbles us, stretches us, and grows us into beautiful people.
I post scripture or a devotional daily on my Lync, I will play Christian music
in my office, you will always find an open Bible on my desk accompanied by
dozens of sticky note scriptures on my monitors. I am not ashamed of the God I
serve and I will be glad to talk about him to anyone who asks. My name is Sarah
Bredemeyer and I am an Operations Engineering Tech and a minster to the company
I work for.
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