Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice
A few years ago, I had the privilege of sitting in a room full of beautiful, empowered, God-fearing women. It is always an honor when God provides the space and environment for us to do life with others. This evening, I was surrounded by women who place value and honor on the role of being a servant-leader, exemplifying obedience. The atmosphere was electric. Although I sing the praises of this space tonight, there was a time when I didn’t.You see, if I am being honest, there was a season (or two) when I did not feel “called to serve”. I had plenty of reasons. Some good, most bad. But I talked myself into a position of saying, “serving just isn’t what God has for me right now,” or my personal favorite, “I am focusing on other things and need to be intentional with my time. God wants that.”
Related Post: How Can You Still Serve Under Pressure
Sure. God wants me to be intentional with my time. He also wants me to do everything with a spirit of excellence and commitment. But you know what else He wants me to do? SERVE OTHERS.
Serving others within the body of Christ automatically places us in a position of community.
You are in community with the people you serve alongside with, you are in community with people who are placed in a position of authority, and you are in community with the people you are directly serving.For some of you, it is time to step up and answer the call of Christ to partner WITH Him. Think about that for a second. The Son of God, the Savior of the World wants you to partner WITH Him. Crazy, right? It is crazy, irrational, completely illogical and most importantly, it is beyond our mindset.
It is only a Kingdom mentality that would choose the lowliest of us, to partner with the holiest of all.
When we obey the call to live a life of service, it brings so much more blessing to us then it does when we sacrifice the beauties held within community because we are afraid.Is it time for you to serve at your local church? Pray about it. I’m sure you will get an answer.
“Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!”