So you have a clear understanding that you are an imperfect sinner and in desperate need of a Savior. You've admitted, confessed and believed. I guess that makes you a Christian, right? But now what?!
If we read our Bible we see that Paul
tells us in 1Cor 11:1 “Follow
my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Well, we've heard
the stories, Jesus turned water into wine, he healed the sick, fed
five thousand, walked on water. How can we possibly be like Him? Let
us go back to our Bibles. In Mathew 20:26-28 we read “... Instead,
whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and
whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man
did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a
ransom for many.” We can see this same theme echoed throughout the
Old Testament in Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the
Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in
obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul...” and Joshua 22:5 and 24:15
“But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that
Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave you: to love the Lord your God,
to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands,to hold fast to him
and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” and
“...As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
But
do we have to? Serving seems like a lot of work. Yes! Let's jump to
James, the brother of Jesus, and the author of my favorite book of
the Bible. James doesn't mince his words, he's extremely
straightforward. In the second chapter versus 14-17 we read, “What
good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith
but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
Suppose
a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of
you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does
nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same
way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
The great theologian CS Lewis expounds on this “The only thing
that is needed for evil to thrive, is for good people to do nothing”
If we are not working for him, we are working against him.
Ok,
serving is mandatory. We can see that now. But how can I serve? I'm
afraid to fly and don't speak Swahili? Relax. Not everyone is called
to serve in the same manner. You don't have to sell all your
belongings and become an African missionary. You're first obligation
is to serve those in your immediate surroundings. Those that you
share the dinner table with, your family. If you are a mom like me,
wash their clothes, cook their meals, drive them around town and do
it for the Lord, not begrudgingly and complaining but with a smile on
your face. If you are a dad, provide for your family and be a good
example for your kids, help your wife. Yes because you love them, but
also because you are called to serve them. If you're a child, clean
your room, take out the trash, ask your parents if they need any
help. They will love you for it. I know, this is not always the most
fulfilling way to serve. Let's be real, it can be thankless. But
let's remember Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with
all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
since
you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a
reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” And also
Ephesians 6:7-8 “ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the
Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one
for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.”
Secondly,
serve in your Church community. Volunteer to become a greeter or a
Sunday school teacher. Join the prayer chain or take meals to new
moms. Trust me, there are a thousand ways you can serve your Church
family. They are, after all, brothers and sisters in Christ. Thirdly,
go outside your house, there are people in need all over your
community. Widows, orphans, the underprivileged. They are all there
waiting for your help. Maybe they need help with some yard work, or
the clothes your kids have out grown. Carry around a sack lunch to
give to the homeless man on the corner. These are excellent ways to
serve others. Lastly, go out into the world. If you can't physically
go on a mission trip to China, you can certainly support those who
can. Pray for them, send them financial support, bring awareness
about their work to your circle of influence.
Now
that we know that we are called to serve and we've seen some solid
examples of what that looks like let us put this into perspective.
You do need to set up some boundaries because once word gets out that
you are a servant, believe me, people will come out of the woodwork
looking for you to help. We need to learn to respectfully say 'no'.
Make sure you create a margin in your calender. Prioritize the role
that NO ONE else can fill over the one that anyone can fill.
Once
you get the volunteer fever, you will see how rewarding it is. But
keep yourself in check, making sure that your intentions are pure and
you are not helping others for selfish reasons. Are you afraid of
missing out? Of not mattering? Of missing an opportunity? Do you have
guilt? Or are you afraid of disappointing others?
A
wonderful Elder and mentor in our church makes this point “Make
sure that your serving is done with a joyful heart so as not to rob
others of the blessing that was intended for them.” If you're heart
isn't into it, someones else's may be. God has made us all unique
and not everyone has the same passion or amount of time to commit to
a cause. Don't judge others service or seemingly lack thereof. You
don't know what they might be doing behind the scenes.
None
are called to do everything, but all are called to do something! We
are blessed to be a blessing to others. We are His hands and feet in
this world. When you serve you are in His will and will be an answer
to someones prayer. This is the greatest gift in your obedience to
God!
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