The Service
To all of you who have grown up in the church, can you identify with this? Since I was very young, one aspiration I had was to serve in church. I guess you can understand it: these adults who serve and inspire you are all around you. Being very young, I spent almost half of my evenings at church because my mother played there an instrument of praise to accompany the times of songs. On Sunday mornings I saw these adults who were teaching us so passionately about the Bible in Sunday school. Not to mention those who sang so wonderfully in the "cult of adults" to lead the worship and those musicians so skilled and talented ... I dreamed of inspiring children like me the way these adults did for me.
In short, for me to serve in the church in the eyes of all was a goal. I wanted from the bottom of my heart to become like them. They were so "perfect" to me. And then life moved on, and these people who were role models have become adults who repeat themselves in their stupidities and in their myths. Serving always seemed so attractive, because I wanted people around me to see me, to recognize that I had talents, abilities.
And finally, Jesus entered my life. He came to turn everything upside down. And to be honest? It didn't take two months for my whole concept of service to change again. I no longer wanted to be seen, to be recognized for my work, even if sometimes a thank you was good, I just learned to give of myself without expecting anything in return. It was then that I began to serve in church. And everything I've done so far has given me so much.
So what happened? Why did I decide to let go of all my thought patterns to humiliate myself? At the time, when I was 13 or 14, I don't think I had a clue.
But here is what I have learned and which has marked me to this day. The Bible says we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). The report ? Serving God is a sacrifice. Giving my life to Him is a sacrifice. And Jesus sacrificed himself because He loved us. That's all He could give us, and He gave it to us to give us eternal life. The rest, the blessings of everyday life, I would like to say that is a bonus. Of course, it strengthens our faith, allows us to bear a greater witness, but what matters most is what happens after we step through the door that leads us to eternity.
So, sometimes I lost my direction. And here is what a friend said to me "your reward, you will have it in the sky". And it marked me! I serve God because I love Him, I serve in His church, I serve His people because I love them and because I have chosen to give my life to Him. In addition, it allows me to testify.
Who would dare to do something for no reason to do it? My reason is to serve the One who changed my life. Basically, if you think about it, I might decide to just tell the world that I have faith. And James 2:26 tells me that "... faith without works is dead." So so I prove that I have faith.
Let me ask you: do you think you are serving God in your life? If so, what is the reason you are serving? If not, have you ever thought about doing it?
Here is my advice for this week: remember why serving God is important, find out why you are serving. And remember:
I serve because Jesus became a servant
I serve because I believe in God who offers me eternal life through my faith in the sacrifice of Jesus
I serve because I want to bear witness to my faith
I serve because I love God and his people
Comments or questions on this? Do not hesitate to let us know in comments or by email!
Be blessed, and we'll talk to you in two weeks!
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