"Assessing Your SPIRITUAL WAKE!"

As a result of living in the southeastern US, I have come to love the fact that we have great weather most of the time.  In particular, I love being around water, riding jet skis, going to the beach and boating.

One of the most challenging facets of boating is "controlling your wake"; it can be both exhilarating and dangerous depending on your perspective. Sometimes you can open it up and sail across the water at great speed.  Other times, you must move slowly under bridges or through areas close to shore. A "wake" is:

1. The visible track of turbulence left by something moving through water: the wake of a ship.

2. A track, course, or condition left behind something that has passed: The war left destruction and famine in its wake.

Any course of action (or choices) taken in our daily spiritual lives can impact the people we encounter much the same way as a boat does when it comes in contact with water. The water often reacts to the boats changing directions and, depending on the speed, can leave an easy or difficult path for other boaters to cross.

Likewise, when "believers" engage others in the marketplace, we must be alert to our opportunities for ministry (that does not necessarily mean the opportunity to preach). Ministry is "service" to others. You may be the only person whom that person comes in contact with that day that may offer them some sort of relief.  Discernment is critical in order to effectively minister to God's people in the marketplace. Without it (discernment), "you are dead in the water!"

The individual a "believer" encounters should be better off AFTER they leave than BEFORE the connection. There should be tangible "evidence" of peace. love and joy in the Spirit! Our spiritual integrity is contingent upon our intimacy with the Lord God and the glory of our Father should heal and deliver the afflicted.

Whether it is a kind word of encouragement, a strong hug, a ride to work or a thoughtful card, your "ministry" will leave a "visible track" of peace or chaos and your "spiritual wake" will be determined by the spiritual, emotional and physical "condition of the individual left behind" after you have completed your assignment!