“By the seventh day God completed His work which he had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” (Genesis 2:2)

When I hear this passaged preached, it is usually focused on the rest and goes something like this: God doesn’t get tired so why would He need to rest? He doesn’t. He’s just modeling for us our need for it and as someone who burns the candle at both ends, you’ll get no argument from me with that. I’m grateful for the reminder I need rest and that rest is to be intentional.

But volunteering as a Friendship Partner with World Relief resettling refugees, has caused me to reflect on this passage with a different emphasis. (Funny how scripture does that for us, saying different things at different times.) Maybe God is also modeling… work.

When I signed up for the Friendship partner program, I thought. “Wow – This is the perfect ministry for me! I like friends. I know how to be a good friend. This is going to be a snap!”

Except well… it’s a lot more like work. While there is an element of friendship there, “Advocate Partner” would be a better descriptive term for this ministry.

Now for those of you who have been involved in ministry for along time, you already know ministry is work… So, it’s OK if you’re having a little chuckle at my expense because I’m laughing at my own silly self. What was I thinking?

As Pastor Jesse reminds us, ministry is joining God in a place where He is already at work.

“Wow – This is the perfect ministry for me! I like friends. I know how to be a good friend. This is going to be… a lot of work, life affirming work and a privilege to join God in what He’s already doing here.

For more information on becoming a Friendship Partner with World Relief in Jacksonville: http://worldreliefjacksonville.org. For information in other local offices: https://www.worldrelief.org/connect.