A Message For Archippus (And You)

“Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’” - Colossians 4:17

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Many of us have this idea that ministry is reserved for pastors and worship leaders and missionaries. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The word ministry comes from the Greek word diakoneo, which means “to serve.” If you are follower of Christ, you are called to ministry -- because you are called to serve. The small business owner down the street, the college student living far from home, the sales accountant, the stay-at-home mom… they all get to play a role in what God wants to do in their homes and their communities.

Jesus wasn't just talking to His disciples when He delivered the Great Commission. He was speaking to you and me. We’re not benched and forced to watch all that God is doing from the sidelines, we get to play an active role in it. How awesome is that -- God wants to use you! He wants us to put on our jerseys, get on the field and make a difference in the lives of those around us and leave a mark on eternity. We get to be a part of something that is bigger than ourselves.

Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that God can’t use you because you didn’t go to seminary school. God wants to use you in your church, in your city, in your school, and in your workplace. He wants to use you wherever you are.

When Paul was writing his letter to the Colossians, maybe Archippus felt lost in his own ministry. Just maybe he was discouraged at the lack of progress he was seeing in his own ministry and thought about calling it quits. He probably thought the Lord messed up the paperwork and accidentally gave him a ministry meant for someone else.

But Paul had a simple message for Archippus -- and for us, too: Keep going.

See to it that you push past those moments when you feel like giving up.

See to it that you embrace the fact that finishing is hard and that easy is not the goal.

See to it that you meet the need that God has called you to fill.

Where can you serve? Who can you serve? Your family, your friends, your coworkers, your church, your community -- collectively, they all make up the ministry that is your life and mine. When you look around, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to be a part of what God is doing around you!