How does it make you feel when someone offers to help? lets say with the ironing, or to make you a meal, or to help with the cleaning, babysitting, maybe even get something from the shops for you. My answer is split in two; half of me is in awe and feels totally blessed. The other half is where the pride kicks in and I feel so uncomfortable, because I'm only 26, I should be the one serving not everyone else doing things for me. But in the bigger picture who am I to stop something being the servant God calls us to be to those around us. Daft right. There have been plenty of time in the past where I've said I could use a little help, and when it's being offered to be by church family and the community.. I don't know where to put myself. A little voice inside me says 'am I not capable of doing this myself' but I know that's enemy trying to make me believe I'm invincible and can take on the world. I'm in my 9th month of pregnancy with a tumor or cancer in my throat. I need to know when to stop. Even if I was 100% fit and well I still need to know when to serve and when to rest. The bible has many verses encouraging us to rest, to charge our minds and souls in his presence. A mobile/laptop/or tablet can't do a great deal without being fully charged. And though we aren't technology we still need to make time to charge up and rest. So when it comes to serving the world around us we can do it with our full potential and enthusiasm, beaming the light and spreading the love fragrance of Christ to those around us.
How do we serve?
We all come to a point where we question how can I serve? I don't have the skills that person has. Or I'm not a peoples person like her/him. I don't have the finances to fund great acts of service like they do. Any of this ring a bell to you. It does to me, I often say I can't do the service like my husband because I'm not a peoples person like he is. Which isn't a lie, he gels well with people, I can be a nervous wreck, although people have said they see me as a confident person. But then I would question myself, why am I comparing myself to others when God has given me my own special talents and gifts to help serve those around me. The comparison trap is a very easy trap for us all to fall into.
Have you ever thought about what talents or gifts you have? Or have you asked someone else their opinion on what they think you are good at? worth thinking about. Maybe even ask God to reveal to you.
excuses!!
Many times we come up with excuses to why we can't or won't do something. Maybe you don't feel like it. Maybe you take a look at your financial situation and think I can't. Maybe you have a favourite TV show or film that's on and you desperately want to watch it. Maybe you don't feel well and think I'd rather be in bed than do that. I don't know there are loads, this is what I can think of straight on spot. There are times where we selfishly put our own feelings and desires in front of helping others. Looking at the tasks asked of us at though it were a mountain when really it's a two second job, and automatically think do I have too. I admit I have done this.
remembering what Jesus did all those years ago is an immediate conviction.He served us and even put his life as a sacrifice so we could have a relationship with God and get salvation. Whens the last time you offered to die for someone let alone the entire world. I know I've never done such a thing. But Jesus did. He found it unbearable and asked God to take the cup away from him, yet not his will but Gods will be done. Can you imagine God saying no to stopping you from dying, because your death would impact the lives of those around you or the world. what a gift. praise Jesus.
That doesn't mean we have to lay down our lives, but God has given us all our own special gifting and talents, so we can serve and change the world around us. No gifting is too small, no gifting or talent is too worthless to play a part in the will of God. You may have heard speakers talk about the body of christ. What does a body have? many parts. We aren't a body full of eyes. No. Our bodies have so many different yet wonderul functions and parts that all play a beautiful and perfect part to make us move/talk/ keep alive and do what needs to be done. Just like our own individual bodies, the body of Christ also works the same. Many parts that all need to work together to get Gods plan on the go. So the best thing we can do is stop comparing ourselves to others or comparing our acts of serving to the acts of service others do and make the most of what God has given us, as the word says whatever you do, do it as though you are doing it for the Lord and not for humans.
Last of all how you see your life is not always how others see you. You may never know the impact you are having on those around you. Continue to shine the light of Jesus regardless to who is watching. I don't doubt that even if Jesus had to die for just one person he'd of still done it. So even if you only impact one persons life it's still worth doing to your full potential. what ever need you face, see and fill it. Don't worry about where the provisions going to come from. God promised in his word he will provide.
be blessed.
Let's pray
Father I thank you for the life of the person reading this. Lord you have given them unique gifting nd talents to use to impact the world around them. Lord give them the courage to use those giftings no matter what or who it reaches. Even if to serve is too clean someones toilet. Lord I ask for the wisdom and understanding of the importance of serving others. And help us also to know when to rest in Your presence so we can go forth and help those around us. Here is my heart lord. Use me/us in your master plan in anyway way possible. in Jesus name amen.
