“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6/NIV
God has blessed me with an exciting ministry opportunity in the role of a chaplain! I attended formal training and am now a licensed chaplain, which is an interesting ministry. Chaplains perform vital ministry and support services for humanity in a vast array of settings. We serve in areas where trauma and devastation have occurred and provide counseling, education, advocacy, and life-improvement skill training. Chaplains bridge the gap between the church and the world.
My chaplain ministry takes me into a variety of settings, which includes the community as well as the hospital. In the community, an influential scriptural passage involves Jesus telling Peter if he loves Him, he should take care of humanity (tend to the lambs and feed the sheep). One of my community ministries has involved delivering meals to older adults who could not leave their homes. Another endeavor involved assisting with a church store-front ministry that provided meals for the homeless and hungry. This setting was also a place to escape the cold, take a shower, and receive clean clothes and shoes.
There was an occasion as a hospital chaplain when I was visiting a patient with a terminal illness. The patient was not expected to live much longer, and comforting care was provided. Even though the patient could not talk to me, I knew this person could hear me. I introduced myself, and I spoke to this precious soul. I also talked to the six present family members and provided comfort and support for them. They told me of the patient’s strong Christian faith and beliefs, who had been very active in church service. She knew Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord!
During the visit with the terminally ill patient and family members, I asked them if we could sing a song. A song written by Bill and Gloria Gaither (1970) came to mind which seemed fitting:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
There’s just something about that Name.
Master, Savior, Jesus,
Like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Let all heaven and earth proclaim,
Kings and kingdoms will pass away,
But there’s something about that Name.
Before this occasion, I had committed this song to memory because of its powerful message. We sang the song together, and even though the patient was unconscious, I knew this person could hear what was being sung. I am confident this precious soul was given a great reminder of her Savior and Lord, whom she would soon meet face-to-face. No one comes to the Father except through Him! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s something about that Name! Amen!
Many blessings to you!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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