God wants all of us to be fruitful and productive, and that begins with preparation. Another way to say this is, “Preparation! Goals! Action! The Bible really makes no provision for a believer just going through life, passively and occasionally receiving some spiritual food through devotions or listening to sermons, while never doing anything to impact the lives of others. Those three words-ready, aim, fire-are so relevant for believers when it comes to doing the work of ministry. Of the phrase, “Ready! Aim! Fire!” Brian Stolle writes, “This legendarily accepted process of operations works universally whether shooting a gun, a bow and arrow, playing golf, or leading a team to achieve an objective. Prepare or ready yourself for the intended action take aim on the objective and goals and then fire, or execute.” (1) Galatians 6:10 (NLT) states, “Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.” In Ephesians 5:16 (NLT), Paul says, “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” John Burrows said, “The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. Wise people, though, recognize that opportunities are all around them, just waiting to be discovered. Francis Bacon said, “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.” Some think that opportunities exist only for those who have a special calling, or who minister in some remote, exotic location. You won’t pray for opportunities if you don’t desire to interact with and impact the lives of others. When Carolyn prays each day that the Lord will direct her path, she is trusting Him for opportunities. What if every believer embraced this as an assignment for living in the world? Paul stresses the believer’s conduct and the believer’s speech, calling for wisdom and graciousness, and then he uses that tremendous word: opportunities. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone” (Colossians 3:5-6, NET). Likewise, Paul told believers in Colossae, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. It appears that Peter assumed that the character and conduct of Christians-those influenced by the life and the Spirit of God within them-would be so different from “norm” that it would cause outsiders to ask questions. Peter gave instruction to early Christians to be ready! “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). How many of God’s children are deliberate and intentional about ministering to others?.How many Christians attend church and read the Bible, not just to be blessed, to actually become equipped to minister to others?.How many believers today are mindful of their responsibilities to a lost and dying world?.Visiting with Carolyn caused me to ask three questions: We are also Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Rather, we are called to be salt and light in the earth (Matthew 5:13-14). Believers are called to be far more than passive recipients of ministry. This interview with Carolyn reminded me of a number of principles and directives in the New Testament. The boss is a Christian man, and he has told me, ‘That’s OK.’” And I will lay hands on people and pray for them right there in the restaurant. I know that’s in response to my prayers, to bring across my path those I can minister to. They just don’t seem to have any hope in life right now, and they just open up to me. Some of them are tearful, some of them are very sad. That’s how I learn what’s going on in their lives. I talk with the customers I visit with them. I work as a hostess at a McDonald’s in Owasso, and it is amazing. “Every day when I go to work, or any day, I ask the Lord to direct my path, and bring across my path those I can minister to. Her love for others and her attitude toward ministry are most exemplary. Since Claude’s passing in 2006, Carolyn has given away more than 620 copies of our book, Life After Death, to grieving individuals. Watch the interview here.Ĭarolyn and her husband, Claude, “adopted” us when Lisa and I first moved to Oklahoma in 1979. If you haven’t yet watched the video interview I conducted with Carolyn Zumwalt, I encourage you to do that.
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