"If you know you are living in communion with God, if you know you are the beloved, and if you make yourself available for service, you cannot do other than minister. Ministry is the overflow of your love for God and others. Ministry is when two people toast their glasses of wine and something splashes over. Ministry is the extra.
But what if we cannot solve the problems or change the circumstances of those we seek to help? Alleviating pain and suffering may sometimes be the fruit of our being with those who suffer, but that is not primarily why we are there. Ministry takes courage to be with the sick, the dying, and the poor in their weakness and in our powerlessness. We can't fix their problems or even answer their questions. We dare to be with others in mutual vulnerability and ministry precisely because God is a God who suffers with us and calls us to gratitude and compassion in the midst of pain. You cannot solve all of the world's problems, but you can be with people in their problems and questions with your simple presence, trusting that joy also will be found there." - Henri Nouwen, Spiritual Discipline
1 comment:
Thats so true. Though we feel hopeless and even guilty when we cant take away the pain.
God knows, we do what we can.
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