WE, not ME

WE can do it!

Last night, I sat quietly at a table with about 10 people who invest 2 plus hours every Sunday evening in ministry to little kids.  As I listened in on the work session of our Awana volunteers, I grew quite emotional.  Each of them has a life full of responsibilities. If asked, I’m sure they will tell me that they would enjoy kicking back on the evening before the beginning of another work week. Instead, they come to help kids discover the truth of the Word of God while having some fun.  They do what they do with joy, faithfully, and to build Christ’s kingdom.  As I prayed for God’s blessing on that team, so many more came to mind – givers who generously contribute to the work we are doing,  musicians who show up early on Sunday morning to prepare the songs that lift us up to God’s Presence, those who care for the needy, people who work in the hot summer months to keep our grounds looking good, and leaders who pray and plan in support of the church’s work.

Working in some church program, outreach, or community service can be a real drag if the one serving is just doing his duty, acting to assuage guilt, or responding to pressure from the Pastor!  But, when a person takes up the call of Jesus to "tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9:2, NLT); when he understands that what he does is an investment, a synergy is created. That ‘togetherness’ really does make the impossible become possible, really does bring the unimagined into being. 

In our celebrity culture which values personality and charisma so highly, we might start to believe that only the bright and beautiful get to make a real difference in the world.  If we compare ourselves to another of greater ability, we might decide to hide in the shadows, concluding that there is no part for us.  But, God’s truth is that we all are called; each one with a place, together creating something none of us could bring into existence alone.  Here’s what the Bible says: "God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues." (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, The Message)   We, together, can do it.

When you choose to serve,  you will find yourself wrestling with temptation.  It may be, “what’s the use?”  a sense that what you’re attempting to do is impossible.  You may encounter spiritual opposition, evil’s attempt to distract you.  You might find yourself dealing with pride, wondering why others do not serve as you do.  And yes, that robs effectiveness and joy from our ministry!  Even those who love Jesus and people are, at times, overcome with fatigue.  Even Jesus had to make time to retreat to places of rest, prayer, and renewal.

Let’s embrace the Call and the Promise.  Here’s a word from the Word. Lord, bring this truth to our hearts.

 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29-31, NIV)

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Song For The Nations

May we be a shining light to the nations

A shining light to the peoples of the earth

'Til the whole world sees the glory of Your name

May Your pure light shine through us

May we bring a word of hope to the nations

A word of life to the peoples of the earth

'Til the whole world knows

There's salvation through Your name

May Your mercy flow through us

May Your kingdom come to the nations

Your will be done in the peoples of the earth

'Til the whole world knows

That Jesus Christ is Lord

May Your kingdom come in us

Chris Christensen

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