Results Are A Reflection

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
 
There’s an old saying that goes, “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.” This saying is often communicated to people who keep practicing the same patterns but are expecting a different result. For example, if you want to get healthy but you keep eating junk food and choosing not to exercise, you’re not going to magically wake up one day fit and healthy. Your results are going to be a reflection of your actions and your decisions.  
 
I truly believe this is advice we need to consider as followers of Jesus. If we are not careful, the Church can get stuck in one way of doing ministry, and it can prevent us from reaching others who can’t relate to that way of doing it.  
 
We can be like those companies referenced in that 2011 Forbes magazine article about products that failed to be a commercial success because those in charge of promotions failed to communicate the purpose, benefits, and value of the product to those who could have consumed them. We can be recalcitrant, rigid, and regressive, and consequently we miss the opportunity to be a blessing to those who need to know about the reality of God, the love of God, and the justice of God in a dark world.
 
So with this in mind, I want to challenge you to start expanding the way you think about ministry and the way you minister to others. Are there ways you can reach out to people who you haven’t reached out to before? Are there conversations you can have that might get people’s attention that weren’t interested in talking about faith previously? Just by starting out with these few questions, you can begin to expand your reach and your influence as you share the hope of the Gospel with others.