The Covenant Center

Recently a dear friend shared a vision she received which in our opinion is rich with truth for us all. She stated that: God showed her a WWI army boot...the kind that laced from ankle to knee. It was all completely laced and tied tightly in a bow at the top, but there was no "shoe" attached to the bottom...no sole, no covering for protection for the top of the foot...no way to march. Her interpretation addressed the over absorption of her life and time with personal study and examination of the word and teachings of the Lord...plenty of focus on praise, worship and teaching...but no functional discharge into the battle for the lost, the needs of the world, the service and connectivity with those outside of the Kingdom.

Accompanying her transparent revelation she also sent a devotional from Joni Erickson. You may know Joni from her many books, paintings and memoirs all developed while paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Her devotional entitled "Selling Everything" discusses the hidden treasure in the field found in Matthew 13:44: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Joni further states:

"I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm talking about God's will for my life - including this wheelchair. When we embrace God's will, everything changes. It's very much like the parable of the hidden treasure. The key word in today's verse is "bought." We must buy the field. When we think of the field God wants us to buy, we assume it's attractive, something we would love to purchase anyway, a sun-drenched meadow dappled with wildflowers. It rarely is. The field - that thing God wants us to embrace - is usually bleak (like a sandlot with broken bottles and old tires scattered here and there). Of course, once you know the scrubby field contains a treasure, the whole picture changes. The empty scrap of land suddenly brims with possiblities. Now we're ready to sell everything to buy it.

In my case, "selling everything" meant giving up self-pity and resentment over a body that no longer worked. Selling everything meant tossing aside the questions and investing the hours I sit in this wheelchair. It meant using that time in God's Word and in prayer (the pick and shovel needed to unearth the hidden treasure)."

Over the years we have observed many talented and skilled people wanting to serve the Lord. Some have found destiny in ministry and some have not. They complete classes and training, now feeling excited and equipped to go to foreign lands, to see the world and do something great for Jesus. However, when the door of opportunity does not appear, they often become discouraged and disillusioned. They sit and wait on God to bring direction and opportunity, frustrated that their dreams have not been fulfilled. They may begin to question whether they have missed God or were ever really called.

Where and how do we find that elusive destiny in ministry? It is really quite simple but often overlooked - destiny and ministry are found in our own backyard! It is what God has placed in our hand. It is the daily field given to us for purchase. God likes to see how we manage the small things before He gives us larger assignments. He watches to see how we serve and love His most treasured possessions - His people...His creation. Ministry starts in the field where we find ourselves standing. It may in our home or family, church, job or even the challenge we face. We may desire to look to the grandiose and extravagant labors of national ministries that appear to bring excitement and recognition - even fame; but everyone begins in their own personal field.

The field we experience may appear to be a dry, rocky and barren field that takes daily hard work to oversee. It can require messy, tireless and thankless work. We may clear and plow the field expending enormous energy, time and sacrifice, sometimes enduring extraordinary pain, sickness or disappointments. The field may contain a loved one in need of care, family, spiritual and local community, friends or neighbors. There may be volunteering, baby-sitting, running errands, care-taking, visiting those confined to nursing homes or hospitals, or making dinner for the kids in our own field. The needs in our field are endless. They are not glamorous. They don't bring us notoriety, fame or finances. Our field is often filled with unlovely personalities who are difficult to work with and who sometimes have been thrown away by society, but they have been placed in the field God has given us. The field may be challenging and look almost impossible to plow and cultivate; but there is always treasure to be found in it - if we just keep plowing, waiting, resting, trusting, loving and serving.

Whether we have just recognized our field or have been laboring in it for a long period of time, it can be overwhelming and disconcerting. We may find ourselves declaring: "This can't be it. It is not what I imagined, Lord. This is not what I thought it would be like. This is not fun. I didn't sign up for this. I don't want to do this." At some point in our Kingdom journey we will be confronted with the following questions: "What price am I willing to pay for this field? What is the sacrifice I am willing to give? What is the 'soul' I am willing to apply to the bottom of my boots to march forward with my King?"

We wake up with these same choices every day. Webster's defines ministry as "a person or thing through which something is accomplished." If you are waiting for ministry to appear or unfold, please just look around you, opportunities abound. Look for the small need in your own personal field. It may not appear exciting or of much value or notoriety, but hidden treasure surely is within. Choose to put your hand to the plow and you will begin to accomplish something important for the Kingdom. It's not necessary to wait on a divine appointment of God; and you do not have to travel the world as a teacher, missionary, evangelist or pastor to make a difference. Missions and ministry are everywhere, everyday. People are hurting and in need of your love, support and encouragement, and they are residing right now in your own personal field.

We have daily opportunities to recognize those in need and choose to reach out to them. We simply give a cup of water in Jesus' name. Everyone in the Body is called to be a minister. Begin to look to the field you are now in - the field you have been given. Choose to purchase it and then begin to cultivate it. As you share yourself with others and take ownership of your field, you will develop the skills to further manage and maintain the field. Remain attentive and committed as you continue to till the soil, and God will not only reveal to you the precious treasures of the Kingdom that have been hidden within; but He will also begin to entrust you with more. Through your faithfulness and perseverance He will find He can enlarge you and grant increased favor to you. Then one day, you will find that He has not only shared more treasure with you, but also more land.

"Father, grant us the grace and strength to not only purchase the land, but to move forward in Your service."