Mending Hearts by Sandi Somers

Christians are uniquely positioned to bring a message of hope and redemption to a world broken by poverty, oppression and injustice.

In what way do your writing, speaking, music, publishing and/or other ministries bring hope and redemption to others?

The Ministry of Reconciliation

A number of years ago I read the story of Paul Freed, the founder of Trans World Radio. His desire was for radio broadcasts to help people in their everyday needs, their “everyday experience, everyday life, everyday problems… Gods’ abiding presence in the disappointments, the struggles, and joys of the home, the office, the shop… Sound Doctrine in our programs was essential as a foundation, but we wanted to be sure also to give instruction on how to live the Christian Life.”

These words often echo in my mind when I think about helping people in need. One of my current ministries is through helping others recover from trauma, both through active counselling and through healing prayer ministry.

And yet I look at everyday ministries—to my extended family and friends who are hurting, to other people God brings across my path, in addition to a wider ministry.

As I thought of this month’s theme, I wondered:  What is our ministry? How does God give us our ministries? What does he purpose through these ministries?

1. What is our ministry? God has given us the ministry of reconciliation, to reconcile everyone to Himself (2 Corinthians 5: 18-21). We are serving the living God and helping to fulfill His great plans for everyone.

2. God gives us a vision. I'm reminded of Isaiah 6 where the Lord said to Isaiah: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah answered, “Here am I. Send me!” We respond to God’s prompting.

3.  How does God prepare us? In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul states that God comforts us in our difficulties so that we can be a comfort to others. We have all known how God’s strength and comfort meets another’s need.  Sometimes our personal experiences can lead to a related ministry. For example, those who have gone through a divorce may develop a ministry of divorce care. Or a recovered addict can give a ministry of freedom from addictions.

4. How does God work with us during our ministry? I'm often reminded of Isaiah 50:4. “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, weakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” How many times have words and images come to mind as I'm speaking with others to touch their exact need, a need which I may not even know exists!

5. How does this happen? Jesus spoke to his disciples in Acts 1:8, saying,  ”You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” It is through the Holy Spirit that God ministers to other people. We do not have the power to do this in our own strength. God knows the specific need, and He knows the specific means of touching that need. We are his instruments, empowered by His Spirit.

6. How can we more effectively minister? Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13-14). Prayer is an integral part of reconciling others to God. 

There is so much more we can say on this topic. I look forward to our IWO bloggers’ continuing discussion this month.

Drama Queen - The 'Other' Art Form

Seriously this is me. At first I used to fight the title, kicking and screaming; denying and justifying.

But I came to the realization that my dramatic personality is naught to try to run away from or to squelch.

When I was a wee lass in Scotland I remember being over the hills of Loch Lomond happy that I got the role of Mary in the school Christmas play. I don't remember a lot about it but I do remember loving the feeling of assuming the character of Mary and wondering if I could possibly 'pull it off and be believable'. I was doubly honoured when I got to bring my doll - Dianne (who I still have) along to play the part of Baby Jesus. The audience clapped and I was hooked.

All through school, as I was able, I was part of the drama team. I loved acting. I started to write plays and sketches and skits and thought how much fun that was, although I kept them hidden.

Then when I moved to Drayton, I was overjoyed to discover there was a wonderful theatre.
 Built in 1902, the majestic building still stood stately in the centre of the little bedroom community. I soon discovered the beautiful upstairs theatre complete with an amazing tin ceiling which afforded some incredible acoustics. And better yet, we soon learned that there was an amateur drama group in town that regularly presented plays to the community. I was bitten; stricken; moved; touched and dove in headfirst as soon as I saw the callout for local actors.

For many years both my husband and I got involved and were part of the Drayton Community Players. We had SO much fun. One year - for Christmas, actually - I was asked to write a play so that the Community Players could do something exclusively for the children of the area. I wrote Mother Goose's Christmas. I still have the scripts in my file after 25 plus years! What fun. What joy The first time I had seen my words acted out  'on stage'. I also produced the play so I was in my element.

The Drayton Community Players carried on acting and laughing and enjoying some wonderful fellowship over the years. I learned so much and took lots of classes and courses on acting and writing plays.

Then, when the professional theatre took over, it was curtains for us.

But God wasn't done. It was almost like he was setting the stage for me to do  something special.

About a year later, a friend and I started the Master's Voice Players (MVPs) at our church. What an amazing plan God put in place. I not only wrote many of our plays, I often collaborated with musicians to create some great cantatas. I loved those years. The MVPs grew and before we knew it we were ten years in and our group of wonderful young actors performed in many places including
churches, schools, and jails.

Our scripture verse was Acts 1:8b: "You will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”

We loved that and our MVP goal was to present the gospel through the power of prayer and through our combined love of the dramatic arts. 

Oh how I miss our group. It was a lot of work and a huge commitment, but I know God had His hand on us and how blessed we became with sweet  memories and forever friendships. 

I loved drama, although I was no professional. I think if I was younger I might have been persuaded to go back to school and learn so much more. But then again, as a leader of the MVPs, I ended up writing plays and instead of acting, I was producing. My love of the written word grew and I began to publish plays. I even wrote a Christian Actor's devotional [Eldridge Publishing] after a little nudge from God. He taught me so much. 

So yes, I am a drama queen, still to this day. My family all know that they can expect the unusual, but thank goodness they love me for my 'other' art form - or maybe I should say, despite my other art form. Thank goodness now, my energy is translated more often than not to the printed page, although I do express myself with flair and pizazz when I have a point to make. It's usually then that my family exit - stage left! 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters

Colossians 3:23