January 13, 2015

Service Without Limits

 

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. -- 1 Peter 4:10

There are different opinions on how many people are actually active in their church. I'm not talking about attending on the occasional Sunday or even tithing as you see fit. I'm talking about actually working in and for the church. Volunteering to participate in one of the many ministries every church has.

Yeah. This is one of those talks. Those who are active are already nodding their heads in agreement. Those that aren't are feeling a twinge of guilt and considering not reading any further. Please keep reading.

This verse was in my Scripture reading this morning. I guess it really hit me hard because today would have been my sweet cousin's 88th birthday. This dear woman went home on December 30th and our lives on this earth will always have a void because of it. She was a doer of God's Word. Right up until the end, she did what she could with where she was. That doesn't leave any excuses for any of the rest of us.

She was raised in church. I have to chuckle at how literal that statement is. Her Mama believed in having her five children in church every time the doors were open. When she married, she did the same with her husband's church. Later there became a need for a second church and they left to help start it. That meant meeting in living rooms and giving sacrificially for many years. It is a beautiful church now. It's members mourned her in large numbers and with much food.

She raised her boys in that church. She was involved in so many things. But here's what set her apart: she never stopped serving God. Never. Not through two bouts with cancer. Not through her husband's battle with Alzheimer's and his death. Not as one son fought lung cancer and lost. And not in these last years with her body tethered to an oxygen machine.

She was the one who always called to check on the sick, the hurting, the family. It was difficult for her to talk sometimes. But she called anyway, letting others know that she cared. She prayed and sought God daily. She never stopped learning and growing in Christ. I loved discussing different Bible passages with her. She had so much knowledge and when she didn't know or understand, she asked. It was good having a grandson who is a pastor.

I know I don't do enough. I don't. I get so caught up in my own life that I don't make the phone calls I should make. I don't send enough cards. I don't donate enough time. And surely I could spend more time with God. And there is no excuse. None. Because if this fine woman could serve God as she did, through it all, then so can I. What about you?