Part One in series on "How to minister..."

Sometimes I get stuck in my American cultural fortress of my home isolated from the world's need and I begin to lose touch with my purpose on earth.

I'm called to be with Jesus and to be his ambassador to those much needier than myself. And if I ever need something more concrete than that, I can just turn to three passages in Isaiah.

Isaiah 1:17

• Seek justice.
• Encourage the oppressed.
• Take up the cause of the fatherless.
• Plead the case of the widow.

Isaiah 58:6

• Loose the chains of injustice.
• Free the oppressed.
• Share food, shelter, and clothing.

Isaiah 61:1-3

• Preach good news to the poor.
• Bind up the brokenhearted.
• Proclaim freedom for captives.
• Comfort all who mourn.

By doing these things, my life comes into alignment again. I begin to recover my sense of purpose and the authority and guidance that Jesus has promised me. If ever I'm beginning to feel depressed or out of whack, this is my north star, my gyroscope.

This is what our lives are to be about - yours and mine. We can be narcissistic in our faith - focusing on our feelings as the paramount indicator of whether we're in God's will or not. This list from Isaiah is a better weathervane. This stuff is what God made you for.

Continued in How to minister: Imitating Jesus