Do the Work of an Evangelist

“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5 NKJV

“Like a bride

Waiting for her groom
We'll be a church
Ready for You
Every heart longing for our King
We sing
Even so come
Lord Jesus come
Even so come
Lord Jesus come…”

As I raised my hands in worship yesterday morning and sang along with the worship band at church, I had to fight back tears at the yearning of my heart. "Lord, I'm so ready for you to return. Please come soon," I prayed. 

And then I had this sobering thought... I'm ready, but there are millions of people who aren't. Which is the very reason, I know, that I have to be ready at all times to "do the work of an evangelist" and fulfill the ministry God has given me to share the Good News with all those in my path. 

This, in turn, caused me to reflect back over the last few days. Knowing that I hadn't done a long run in a couple weeks, I felt led to take some time off of work Friday to get in a twenty mile run (something I aim to at do twice a month, unless I'm training for an ultra and then it's a bit more) since our weekend schedule was packed. I then was thankful to have had the time to run back to back double digit mile days on Saturday and Sunday. Why? So I will be ready to go wherever it is God calls me to go at a moment's notice. 

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20

You see, while every believer is called to share the Gospel wherever they might be, we are all called to use our time and individual talents in ways that God has uniquely designed us to use them. Hence the reason there are so many different types of ministries (music, fitness, teaching, medical, hospitality, etc.). 

And while few people would call themselves blessed to be called to the world of long-distance running to share the Gospel, I count myself enormously blessed to travel to races (alongside my husband) and "do the work of an evangelist" by imploring others "on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.”

Which is the very reason that I must be ready at all times in the event I'm called to run a marathon or longer distance on short notice--something that’s happened on more occasions than I can recall. This is just the nature of being part of a running ministry. Since it takes months, and even years, to be physically able to run long distances, a person in this type of ministry doesn’t have time to get ready when the time comes, so must stay ready by putting in the work. 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen." Matthew 28:19-20

"Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Matthew 9:37

But here's the deal... no matter what ministry or talent God has gifted you with to do your part in fulfilling the Great Commission (and we all have a part), one thing is certain, you must be ready! You see, we live in a world that's in desperate need of hearing about Jesus and the saving-grace that only He can provide--a world where "the harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few." 

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58

And, like a bride waiting for her groom, we must be a church ready for Jesus' return! This means we must be busy in the waiting! We must be watchful in all things (sober-minded with eyes laser locked on the mission), enduring afflictions while remaining faithful and focused, abounding in the work of evangelism, and mindful of the mission in front of us "knowing" that our "labor is not in vain in the Lord." 

So, whatever way God has called you to fulfill the ministry of evangelism, do what it takes to be ready my friend. And that means getting into the Word each and every day, committing Scripture to memory, and then honing the skills the Lord has blessed you with for His glory and the furthering of the Kingdom. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to be a part of Your amazing plan of sharing salvation with the world. Help us to understand just how important this is Lord so that we would be found busy doing the work of an evangelist despite the afflictions and hardships that will come our way. Compel us to be ready at all times Lord by putting in the work necessary to run the race the second we are called to step up to the start line. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!