“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28
This verse has been ringing in my head the past few months. Serve. To perform duties or services for another person or an organization. As Christians we are called to SERVE. We are called to be part of a local church and to get involved serving there. We are called to serve our spouse, our kids, parents, friends and anyone we come in contact with.
As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God—whoever speaks, as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11
This summer has been busy with lots and lots of trips to the river, a quick visit back to California to celebrate my future sister in law (the last one which now completes the Kalama Fam) and some visitors to the PNW. And amidst the chaos, I find myself questioning my own heart this summer. Don’t get me wrong, this has been an amazing summer but I wonder if I’ve been too selfish or if I have served the Lord wholeheartedly by serving the people around me.
When you think of serving others what’s your first reaction? Are you excited? Does the word “serve” give you a bad taste in your mouth? Or are you like me and you love to serve but only if people are grateful, kind, and you get some sort of recognition? Can you sacrifice your time and energy for others even when you know you won’t get anything in return?
So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’
Luke 17:10
My generation and definitely the generation after me has the attitude that we want more by doing less. I’m not sure where this comes from. But when I look at my parents’ and grandparents' generation, they are such hard workers. We think we are hard working, but when it boils down to it we aren’t. We grumble and complain about the work or even lack there of and then complain that we aren’t getting paid enough for the little work we are doing! It’s sad and embarrassing really.
So when we look at passages like Ephesians 6:7-9 we should gain a new perspective when it comes to work ethic and servanthood.
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.
Ephesians 6:7-9
It is our ultimate goal to not only grow as a church but to send out future church plants from our church. I do look forward to the day that we get to come alongside and encourage future church planters. We are constantly learning and being sanctified through raising our children but also through starting this church. There is adversity from outside and inside. Challenges that cause us to sometimes doubt and complain but ultimately that bring us to our knees. And I think the first thing I would ask anyone who had a desire to answer the call of starting a church would be, “Are you ready to serve? To serve the Lord with all your might? To serve when no one is looking? To sacrifice when you get nothing in return? To add to your plate when your plate is already full with a different full time job, a family, raising kids, etc? Are you willing to put your comforts and selfishness aside for the sake of the Kingdom? Are you ready to be faithful and put your full trust in the Lord? To trust Him with your life, your money, your comforts, and to suffer for the sake of Christ?
For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
Philippines 1:29
Are you willing to serve?
Now there are times in life when I do believe the Lord will lead you to serve in ways that you may not prefer because our whole lives are an act of service to the Lord. However, we have found that if you are serving within your gifting's you find joy in serving the Lord by serving others.
For example, opening up our home to others for church or even just inviting people over can be seen as a burden to some, but because I feel I have the gift of hospitality this is not difficult for me. I love welcoming people into my home. I love that it causes me to keep a clean home, to teach my kids to share and allow people into their personal space, to sacrifice our time and energy to love on others is a joy! My prayer is always that our home is a safe haven not only for our family but for others as well.
Where I personally am challenged is children’s church. I enjoy being a mom, but I do not enjoy child care and watching children as much now that I spend every day doing that. I have a whole new appreciation for the volunteers and workers at churches. Of course the pastors but more so the people behind the scenes. The ones that serve with no recognition. The custodians who clean before and after every service and event. The hospitality teams, coffee bar volunteers, greeters, ushers, the elders that not only give of their time on the weekends at church but also who willingly serve the body of believers throughout the week. The prayer teams, the bulletin stuffers, administrative staff, youth volunteers and childcare workers. Whether it’s a paid job or volunteer job at a church, there are so many moving parts that are needed for church to happen.
Hosting a church in our home has taught us so much. It’s taught me to be more flexible. It’s taught me to die to myself more and serve in all different ways for the glory of God and not for praise or recognition. It’s taught me time management and made my prayer life stronger. It’s also been a blessing and a memory we will hold dear for years to come.
I think we grow in our capacity to serve and love others. But like anything, how can you get better if you don’t practice. You must put yourself into situations that cause you to depend on Christ to love and serve others. You need to be part of a local church and a community of like minded believers that can encourage you toward sacrificial servanthood. And you need to pray that the Lord would radically change your selfish mindset that we are born with and transform it to a life that is others focused with your time, energy, money, resources, and heart. You got this!
A few tips:
Pray that the Lord would reveal to you your gifts and how you can use them for Kingdom purposes. Pray that you would have a servant's heart. Look for ways you can serve others with a cheerful attitude unto the Lord and not for selfish gain.
Pray for your pastors and their families. Pray for your church and the congregation both as a whole but also individually as needs come up. Pray for the staff and volunteers that make the bible studies, services, and events possible.
And to all the parents reading this who have children in a children’s church ministry. Pray for your leaders, childcare workers and volunteers. Thank them that because of what they do you can enjoy fellowship with other believers and hear the Word of God with no distractions. You could consider buying them a small gift card for one coffee, or baking them some bread, or even just writing them a short thank you note.
You can also thank the cleaning crews that keep a church comfortable and clean for when you come in. The coffee bar workers and greeters. It takes all parts of the body for the church to run smoothly. (1 Corinthians 12:12-17)
Let’s try to be Christians that are more thankful than critical. There are always things to complain about, but if a church was full of more people that looked for ways to show gratitude to one another rather than complain, think of the unity and strength that church would have not only internally but to the outside world.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
I mean, that’s the ultimate goal right? That our lives would radiate Christ that others would want to follow and serve Him too?
So, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and graciously forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord graciously forgave you, so also should you. Above all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:12-17
Amen and Amen! God is good. Now believe that and live it out.
Jess T.
Prayer Requests
That we would serve wholeheartedly - never complaining, never doubting and never looking for anything in return.
That we could model this for our children and anyone that comes to our church
Wisdom and discernment
That we would stay faithful and finish well (this is a forever prayer request)
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