Everyone Is a MinisterSample

When Hur woke up that morning, he probably thought that he would be on the ground fighting the Amalekites. If not in the front line, he might be one of the reserves waiting in the wings. Maybe he thought that he would run logistics, or perhaps he would help Joshua deliver tactics to the Israelites’ captains. There were many things to do on the battlefield, and Hur was ready to do whatever was necessary to help his people win.

But was he ready to spend the whole day helping Moses lift up his hands? I really don't think so. While everyone else risked their lives to protect God's people, Hur was stuck next to Moses' sweaty armpit. He had to help lift Moses' hands up so Israel could win the battle.

Hur knew that there was no glory in what he did. They don't give out medals of honor to the ones who help other people lift their hands during a battle. But Hur did what he had to do. And as a result, the army of Israel defeated the enemy, and God's people could continue their journey safely.

If we are serious about following Jesus, we must be ready to get stuck under sweaty smelly armpits. There will be plenty of times when we have to perform seemingly unimportant, inconsequential, and menial tasks. That's just the way it goes in ministry.

The father of modern acting, Konstantin Stanislavski, famously said, "There are no small parts, only small actors." He means that every part of a theater production matters as long as the actors are willing to commit themselves. The same applies to our work in God's Kingdom. There is no such thing as a small inconsequential ministry. That is why we need every minister to commit to the task God has set aside for them.

So be ready to do whatever it takes. Do what you have to do. Don't be discouraged when you end up with these so-called thankless tasks. Never allow pride to get in the way of serving Jesus. In God's Kingdom, everyone and everything we do matter - even those of us who have to spend our days next to sweaty smelly armpits.