It’s been debated for over 128 years [I googled it, it was invented around 1880] by men and women alike. It’s caused arguments, feuds, fusses and fights and will continue to do so for generations to come. There is no definitive answer, but there are defiant defendants that claim to know the answers.
I’m talking, of course, about which way the toilet paper rolls.
The dirty truth is that the orientation of the way the toilet paper rolls can cause some family hardships. This is especially true when your wife is pregnant [learned that one the hard way].
It seems, at least to me anyway, that the majority of the population prefers the “up and over” direction of the paper. I myself like my tp “down and behind”, butt that is because I am a rebel and live by the seat of my pants. However, I usually do fill the paper roll “up and over” because I wouldn’t want to dump on someone like that and load him or her up emotionally. I’m not the kind of guy to flush a relationship over stinky feelings.
[I am really, really sorry for that last paragraph, but believe me I had fun writing it. Yes, all puns are intended. Can you find all 6?]
But really, does it really matter in the end [7… okay, last one, I promise]. I mean, the end result it the important part of the toilet paper use, right? In perspective, it doesn’t really matter if the paper rolls over or under because both directions are being used to meet the same need.
It seems we can’t see the forest for the trees sometimes.
In life, we as Christians are all heading in one direction – that direction being reaching people who don’t follow Christ and engaging them with Christ. That should be our focus both as a personal ministry and as a congregational ministry. What this all boils down to is your target, and different targets require different approaches to lead them to the same end. But, just like the way toilet paper rolls, sometimes the trees get in the way of the forest and we lose sight of what is really important. This is why intentional ministry is so vital. When we are being intentional in our ministries we realize that the process can change as long as we arrive at the end result.
When we are being intentional we meet needs where they are and bring them to Jesus.
Here’s the way the Apostle Paul put it.
I Corinthians 9:19b-23 NLT
19b…I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ. 20 When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. 23 I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.
So what is the big deal about intentional ministry? It means that we have to go out of our way to take Jesus to the people God puts in our path. That means getting out of our comfort zones which means we might have to:
- Make new friends at a bar
Call me crazy, but I think if Jesus was physically on earth today He would be found at bars buying recently divorced men, alcoholics, sex addicts, drug addicts, etc. a cold Cok-a-cola and listening to their stories. I believe He would be sharing His love with them in order that they might realize there is a better, more abundant life that is theirs for the taking.
[Please understand… I am not advocating drinking at all. I do, however, believe Jesus modeled this idea in Matthew 9:9-13.]
- Go to the same restaurant and ask for the same server
We’re intentional when we intentionally initiate relationships. Does this mean going to the same restaurant over and over again, even when we are tired of the food they serve? Yes. Does this mean asking for the same server everytime we go there? Yes. Does this mean always engaging in their lives and opening up your own life? Yes. Does this mean leaving a more than good tip, even when the service is lousy? Yes.
- Go inside to pay for gas
Guilty. Life is so convenient. We don’t even have to step two feet away from our car to pay for our gas anymore. But what if we did have to go inside? We might find an attendant that is dying to know our Christ but doesn’t, simply because no one has intentionally made the effort to bring Jesus to them with their life.
I could go on and on with examples, but the point is all the same. Are we being intentional in our ministries or are we going through the motions the same way over and over again because that is how it is “supposed to be done”?
Are we reaching our target? Are we meeting needs where they are with Jesus? Are we worried about the process or what really matters in the end?
How do we roll?
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