A loud instrument

We were at the altar call in a Wednesday evening service. I was playing a song of dedication softly on the organ.

            Suddenly the organ leaped to full volume.  I nearly fell off the bench and the pastor had a wide-eyed, surprised look in his eyes as he turned to look at me.

            The chunky high heel of my right shoe had slipped off the volume pedal and the shoe’s toe was stuck holding the pedal completely down. Finally, I had enough sense to take my hands off the keys to stop the deafening chord.

            Our wonderful pastor smiled, then went on with the invitation while I got my foot out and reached down with my hand to remove the shoe.

            That was only one of the times I embarrassed myself during ministry.

            In a church ministry preparation class someone said, “Be sure and examine your motives.  If you only want ministry because you want the rewards and applause . . . .”

            I started laughing.  “You won’t find a bunch of people lining up to shake your hand and thank you for the great job you’re doing when you teach a Sunday school class, especially one with a bunch of rowdy little boys,” I said.  “You won’t be given fame or fortune for many jobs you do for the Lord.  After about 40 years in various types of ministry, I’ve had almost as many embarrassing moments as I have people telling me how wonderful I am.”

          

         It doesn’t matter who notices, or even if we make mistakes, or embarrass ourselves -- if we

 have  properly prepared ourselves and done our best.

             But another thought comes to mind.

             In many parts of the world people risk their lives to tell others about Jesus and how He died to forgive sins so that anyone can live forever with Him. He sees. He knows. He even watches the sparrows and counts the hairs on your head, the Bible says.

             Those delivered from the brink of hell because someone ministered are thankful, as I am for the people who brought the full gospel to our house.

            If you desire to ministe, it's not even necessary to embarrass yourself, as I did that day when my shoe stuck.

               Incidentally, I didn't let that embarrassing moment stop me from using my talent to minister.

            “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

© Ada Brownell 2012