27
Mar
2014
Sacred Serving
Lord, what can you do with me? I have four children, elderly parents and a house where something new seems to break every day. I do not have the time, the money or the energy to do big things for you. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Everyone, at some point, has had some variation of these sentiments run through their mind. We all want to do big things for God, don’t we? We see a blogger who went from obscurity to fame and we think that is what it looks like to be used by God. We see someone overseas living among the poor and, suddenly, our monthly gift to the local food mission doesn’t seem like much. Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others… – 1 Peter 4:10 God is not impressed with a person’s gift. You want to know why? God gave every gift. He is not looking for the biggest or the best. He is seeking the heart that will simply say, “yes.” And, if we aren’t careful, we will view the day-to-day tasks as mere inconveniences. We will begin to analyze our responsibilities and deem some of them as holy and some of them as nuisances. We might even convince ourselves that we would be more useful to Him if we did not have to do this, that or the other.
The reality is, however, there are those moments when the dishes need washed, the children need bathed and the baby has left spaghetti in the floor. And, in that instance, maybe it feels menial. But, sometimes, the ministry is in the mess. The sacredness is in the serving.
…If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and a servant to all. – Mark 9:35 We live in a world that respects first place. Whether it’s a sporting event, a black Friday shopping line or our Southwest boarding pass, we like to be in the front. Don’t we all want just a little of the spotlight for ourselves? It carries over into every area of our lives. Aren’t we happy to serve as long as we get the accolades for doing so? But that is not service at all. True servanthood begins in the heart. We must decide, on the front end, if we want glamour for ourselves or glory for our Lord. There are no majestic tasks. There are no menial tasks. We are to do everything to the glory of God. You think that you cannot be used in the midst of dirty diapers and carpool? You think the fifty hours a week spent at your job prevents God from using you for big things? Ask Him to use you. I dare you. Pray that He would open your eyes to needs around you. But, friend, you better be serious about it. There is no shortage of opportunities to serve. Just remember, however you serve, it is a sacred thing you do.