Serving
Service: Is it work or play? Ideally, how we spend our lives is a combination of both. If we’re operating in our strength areas, with the right mind and heart, there’s nothing better - we’re doing that for which we were designed - though it isn’t always easy. In fact, serving God can be opposed by others, our own hang-ups, or other forces. Here are some thoughts to help.
Our service is the working out of that which God has worked in us. Much like a cruise ship, there is a lot that goes on “underwater” or below the surface. And a healthy “underwater" life will allow a boat to operate well and move out of the harbor “above water.”
A look under
A look above
Moving out
Once we get “out of the harbor” we begin to discover the adventure of serving others for Jesus’ sake and it’s incredibly life-giving! It’s also a battle - there are storms that arise and difficulties. But as we are faithful, God helps us grow and provides His grace to help us keep moving. We also find our relationship with God deepens and our intimate knowledge of Him motivates us to worship Him with even more passion and purpose. Service is not just about doing things for God, but also doing things with God - joining Him in His work of loving the world for Jesus' sake.
Resources:
Ministries to consider partnering with:
- Artists in Christian Testimony, Intl - provides training and a non-profit status to fund your ministry.
- Your local church
- Other para-church ministries - either for worship services or outreach
- Bible study friends who are musicians - put a band together and play at coffee houses, restaurants, local events, outreaches
Books:
A Revolution of Love
Jesus started a revolution of love when He began His church. As we surrender our lives to Him, we surrender to His love to flow through us to a lost and hurting world. This is the only kind of service that matters. Love is the motivator and mark of true service. It is the goal of our service. We serve so that more and more lives will be changed by His love and spread His mesage to others around the world for Christ's glory.The Apostle Paul put it this way:
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. "