THE CHOICE TO SERVE
Why didn't somebody tell me earlier in my life that I can't fix everything? I thought that with due diligence, everything can get resolved. If there were things up ahead that concerned me, I could just make a plan to solve them. In time, I could have it all figured out and then set the automatic "good life" pilot and let it take over.
After my decision to follow Jesus Christ, the choice to serve Him has been more formative in my spiritual life than any other decision. My commitment to serve keeps me in God's Word. I can't afford to wander away for days or weeks. Serving Christ tethers my heart to the cross. People are counting on me and you've got to know—people are counting on you too. You have an awe-inspiring opportunity to serve in Christ's kingdom. If you just open your heart to this, you will begin to see an incredible banquet of service choices is set before you each day.
You may wonder, how do I keep serving when I get discouraged? Yes, I'm glad you brought that up. Humbling yourself and serving is tough to do. It's easy to want to throw in the towel. Colossians 3:23 has been the key clarifier for me, "Whatever you do, work heartily," and then verse 24 says, "You are serving the Lord Christ."
Motivation Upgrade
Honestly, some people are difficult to serve. I must keep in mind that I'm not serving my spouse or my kids; I'm not serving my pastor or elders; I'm not serving that cranky church member; I'm not serving that troublesome person at work. It really helps me to be reminded that I'm serving Him.
Even as you serve your children, you're serving Christ.
Even as you serve your husband, you're serving Christ.
Even as you serve at church, you're serving Christ. He's the center of your attention.
I find that to be a motivation upgrade. When the people are dirty or difficult or discouraging in some way, just remember, I'm serving Jesus. Wouldn't you do whatever you could for the Lord?
Appreciation Upgrade
You have probably figured out that Jesus doesn't send a lot of thank-you notes—at least not in this life. What Jesus thinks about my service is a message that is yet to get to me. If other people don't appreciate me or pat me on the back or applaud me—that's okay because I'm serving Christ. He is keeping track of everything that I do. He'll sort it all out some day and He promises me a commensurate reward.
Significance Upgrade
"So what did you do this weekend?" That casual, water cooler question really begs for a thought provoking answer!
Just think, if your mindset was focused on serving Christ, you could answer, Well, I was just helping the God of the universe with a couple of things He's working on. Service is a big deal! You're plugged into eternal purposes! You're making a difference that will last forever! Even when your service is humble and unseen, your life is taking on a significant upgrade.
Faithfulness Upgrade
Serving Christ helps you to stay faithful. When you want to tell the director of children's ministry that you're going to quit teaching the fourth grade class, he might say, "Well, it's Christ that you're serving, so you might want to check with Him. I'm guessing that He might want you to keep doing it until we find a replacement." Remembering who it is you serve helps you be faithful. It helps me be faithful. If I get a little frustrated with something in my service for the Lord, I remember it's not about anybody but the Lord. Jesus models exemplary servanthood. I choose to serve Him.
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I need to ask you, what is the manner of your life in regard to these things? After the choice to follow Christ, the choice to serve Him is the most important choice you will ever make. All of life comes into perspective when you see yourself as a servant. Priorities come in line when you recognize "I'm here to serve Him." The Christian life is not about Jesus serving me; it's about me serving Him.
So here come the practical questions: In what ways are you serving Jesus Christ? In what ways are you personally shouldering weekly kingdom responsibility? You don't get that many weeks in a lifetime. What will you do for Christ this week? I realize that much is required of you in your home and at work, but what have you volunteered for? In what situations have you willingly offered, "Add this to my responsibilities. I want to serve Christ"?
Serving Christ is a choice that will change your life forever. Nothing is the same after you commit to a lifetime of serving Him. Lest you be thinking in your heart right now, "Sure, if somebody called me with a need, I'd think about it." Why don't you find your job? You know how to get a job. "Well, I'm just not sure what my gifts are." Just begin by getting something done that needs to be done. The momentum of action is the best mechanism for discovering your gift mix.
Do you want to change your life? Make the choice to serve. If you do, your life will be eternally altered by it. Sadly, others will read this and do nothing. They will feel that tug of possibility, that longing that leads to greatness, but they will think, Nah, that sounds like too much work. What a tragic waste of opportunity.
Do you want a life of fabulous blessing, favor with God, and great satisfaction? Continue serving (just ask anyone fully engaged in ministry for a testimony and you'll find out it's true). Jesus' life proves it. "If you want to be great," He said, "you must be the servant of all" (Matthew 20:26). Greatness is your God-given destiny and it all begins with a decision only you can make for yourself: I choose to serve Jesus Christ.
~ Dr. James MacDonald
For more from James MacDonald on "igniting passion in the people of God through the proclamation of the truth," visit Walkintheword.com. |
