Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Sounds wrong, doesn’t it? Sunday, we had a guest speaker. Our pastor has been sharing the book of Matthew.  He began with the upside-down kingdom that Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount.

Our guest minister told us that we should not be focusing on Friday when our work week ends. We should wait for Monday when we get to work and be with our co-workers for the week. That is topsy-turvy at its best.  

I remember when I began a new job after twenty-five years with one company. It was my dream job. I was called to be a workplace minister while in college. I told everyone how happy I was to be at work even on a Monday. I had reached burnout at my last employer.

I did not know what that was. All I knew was that God wanted me to be a full-time gospel minister.

I knew I wasn’t to be a music minister. I can’t sing. I have trouble playing the radio. I love to talk. One-on-one is my favorite crowd. In high school, I forced myself to take speech. My first talk almost killed me. I thought that five minutes of talking about myself would never end. In three years, I learned to be extroverted and speak to any crowd.

My listeners may not enjoy it as much as I do. I had to experience public speaking to allow me to be more comfortable when I was called to be a minister. All I knew was preaching and singing. If I was not willing to be a preacher, I would not have viewed myself as a minister.

Now, I can proclaim a call to every Christian to be a minister in the workplace. My friend Jim told me years ago that he had asked God to call him to youth ministry. He was told no. He has spent over fifty years owning his own business. He shows his customers, vendors, and employees what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Where is your place of ministry? We all need to find our calling and where we are expected to serve others. Those will be both believers and unbelievers. Servants must find their pace to be of use. I have heard this for years.

It sounds strange to thank God for Mondays. We should be excited to share our faith. Not just in certain circles or at church. Our jobs are where we spend a third or more of our time. We should also be witnessing, serving, and ministering in this arena.

Time is considered precious by all of us. We must work while we have light. The darkness can be overpowering. When we do our part, the world will be a better place. Enjoy your Monday.

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger