Why Do You Serve?
For we are God’s handiwork, created in
Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
–
Ephesians 2:10
Are you active in your church? Do you belong to a
civic group? Do you volunteer at your kids’ school? Why?
Before you flippantly answer, think about it for a
moment. Be honest. It’s just between you and God anyway.
Most of us like pats on the back. Most of us like to
be in charge or, at least, to be recognized for our contributions as workers.
Most of us like things to be done our way. Most of us want to brag and feel proud
of the good we do.
But here’s a hard truth: If your service is for anyone’s
glory but God’s, you need to step aside and rethink your motives.
Whether you’re volunteering at church or anywhere
else, you represent Jesus. You are His ambassador. It’s not about you. I know.
That’s a common theme but it’s a common theme because it reveals such an
uncommon heart.
We’re to have hearts filled with Him to such a degree
that people see Jesus when we show up. There’s no room for pettiness and egos
and pride. When those things rear their ugly heads, step back and drop to your knees.
Satan is on the warpath and you need the strength of the Holy Spirit to
withstand the onslaught.
I know. You probably think you know better than anyone
else how something needs to be done. Maybe you’ve done it the same way for
years and you can’t imagine anyone else wanting to change something that works
so well. Maybe you’ve surrounded yourself with like-thinking people. Maybe you’ve
closed your mind and your heart to even considering another person’s viewpoint.
A few months ago a pair of sweet older women announced
that they were tired and would no longer decorate tables for a specific event.
Okay. In less than a day, we’d organized a large replacement team who showed up
to help and learn from the retiring volunteers. They were shocked at the
response.
Do you know why no one had helped them before? Because
they rebuffed every effort made by anyone. They were so focused on doing it
like they’d always done it, on controlling it, on being able to brag about
their service, that they missed a prime opportunity to receive help and to
train others. They missed a chance to try different things and to get to know
people of another generation who were eager to serve but just needed an
opportunity to step up.
You see these wonderful ladies had lost sight of why
they began their service long ago. When they began, it was to honor God and do
good for His people. Later, it became about them instead of about Him.
So, let me ask you again: Why do you serve? If it’s
about anything or anyone besides Him, step back. Step away. Get your heart
right and in alignment with Him. Then step back up. God needs people to serve.
He just wants them to do all that they do for His glory and not their own.
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