Are you scared to serve?
What kind of God do you think I am? Do you think I am like a person peering into an aquarium? Am I a God that stands outside and just observes the world? Pause and think about what you think about Me.
We lay on the water face-down and peered deep into the ocean. But it was not like floating where a portion of you is submerged. It was as if the water’s density increased and suspended us to the point it felt more like hovering.
“No, this is not how I operate. I came into the world and got messy. I did the necessary things even when they were difficult and dirty. This is what I want for you. You can’t hover outside My church, you must engage. You need to serve, in order to fully participate in what I have for you. Your destiny can’t be fulfilled without the wealth you gain by submitting to the Body of Christ.”
I sat and contemplated that for a moment, but before I fully understood, He asked another question.
“Consider why you are reluctant to serve. What lies are you telling yourself?”
Instantly, worrisome thoughts flooded my mind that someone would hurt me again. I cringed, recalling the last painful events that occurred while I served in church. I had to admit I was scared to serve.
“Go deeper, that is a partial truth.”
Then my mind settled on the deeper truth that I was worried that I would hurt others. That I would get it wrong and cause others pain.
“Where does this fear come from?”
Experience came to mind, but I knew he meant to delve deeper.
God filled in my missing understanding. “You believe when you hurt others or mess up that you hinder their walk with God. On the contrary child, I can assure you, there are times I used your shortcomings to strengthen them. When you weren’t there to answer the question, they had to seek it on their own. When you weren’t there to solve the problem, they had to become a problem-solver. When you challenged their thinking about the role you were filling, it blasted through many strongholds they didn’t know they had.”
“Look at your thinking closer. Do you see the underlying sin that needs repentance?”
***
Pride, of course, because you can’t have every thought pointing back to yourself and not see the arrogance. How could I have been so ignorant to not see that I was relying on and considering my own way of thinking, too much? I immediately went into repentance for pride.
“Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].
And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].”(1 Corinthians 12:27-31, AMP)
Are you serving in your local church? Not just observing but, getting dirty. If not, what do you think is holding you back? Are you scared to serve?
Are you hung up on past hurts? Or are you concerned your contribution isn’t good enough or needed?
Either way, let the Lord help sort out these lies for you so that you can receive all the benefits of serving in your local church.
Prayer for you and me: We’re sorry when we underestimate Your ability to teach us while we serve others. We’re sorry for when we have refused to serve and for the times when we entered a task in service that was not for us. Lord, You are teaching us to always open our eyes and ears to see the truth of this. And help us earnestly seek after You. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
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