Where Does Serving God Begin?

“I praise you because

I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Psalm 139:14-16 NIV

This week I am still in the garden reflecting on how I might best serve God and what he would have me do. I love my garden. I think that one of my favorite flowers is bright blue salvia that spikes in so many different places in the garden giving a delightful happy punch of color in so many ordinary places.

The spike of the blue salvia  reminds me of my service to God. Sometimes my service spikes in the most needed places that are void of joy and happiness. Other times it adds that needed punch of color to my daily work routine and never ending responsibilities. The garden of life has many opportunities for service and yet I continue to miss some of the most obvious points of service. I pass some opportunities off as routine, small, unimportant. I miss some opportunities for service because I am too busy to see the opportunity. When I consider using my gifts and talents I often think they must not count as service because I enjoy using them so much. I am reminded that David played the harp to the glory of God and he also played for his own personal enjoyment as well as for others.

I am saddened when I think of many believers who do not think that they have anything to offer God. They forget that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. They see others as talented and gifted but feel that they have no gifts or talents. Many people think that service belongs to the outgoing type “A” people of the world. Sometimes their negative attitude regarding themselves makes me wonder why God even bothered creating them in the first place.

Paul was an outgoing leader in the early church. Abraham was a more peaceful and laid back patriarch. It was not their temperament or accomplishments that were credited to them as righteousness. It was their faith. God made Abraham the Father of an entire nation. Moses could not speak well but still he pointed the Israelites to God. God wrote the commandments in stone and Moses simply carried them down the mountain. In the Bible, it appears there are many believers who were introverted type “B” people who simply majored in faith and obedience. Some might consider their service minor but God didn’t. Do you remember the widow who gave her “mite”, yet the Bible said she gave her all. What about Anna who worshiped and prayed night and day never leaving the temple? Never mind that during this same time, John the Baptist was screaming his lungs out in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord”. Now there is a type “A” person if ever there was one! Paul was traveling, encouraging believers and speaking out about divisions in the church and sinful behavior. God used Paul leadership abilities to establish the early church among the gentiles. But he used ordinary simple folk to show Paul hospitality and give him financial support.

So my question today that begs an answer is: Where does serving God begin? I must first serve God through my service to my family. I am to love, care for, spend time with, and enjoy my family. I must never underestimate the work of training, teaching, and influencing my family to find and follow Jesus. This is never a small calling. It may very well be the highest calling we will ever be given. What I teach my family about God is of eternal significance. I am to teach my family by word and example that God is to be first in all of our lives. This is Christian service 24/7! The small circle of family that God has given us is our responsibility. We will be held accountable for how well we do this job. Our success will not be based on their response to God, but rather on our obedience in leading and teaching our family God’s truth and modeling faithfulness.

Jesus set the perfect example of teaching, caring, loving, providing, encouraging, and praying for the twelve men that God had entrusted to his care. John 17:6-18 Jesus prayed for those that God had given him; we should never feel guilty that we spend too much time selfishly praying for the ones closest to us. It is a high calling from the Father and certainly kingdom service. In fact, I challenge you to raise the bar and pray for them more! Call God to the task and remind him that he loves them more than you do. Beg him to show up in their lives and never let them go. Pray that they will fall madly in love with Jesus Christ. Remind God that he has promised to bless your children and grandchildren for a thousand generations because you are faithful to him. Thank him everyday that God is actively at work in the life of your family. God’s power is released when we pray. The work of prayer is no small assignment! We are called to be mighty prayer warriors on their behalf of our family. Others may pray for our family but none will pray for them as we who love them pray.

We are to serve God with our gifts and talents. Believers and non-believers have many talents. But God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift. Our gifts and talents are to be used for God’s glory and to give us personal joy and refreshment as well. Even simple talents can be used for God’s glory. If you bake well, share some homemade goodies with a friend or neighbor. Include a note or a scripture. If God has gifted you with laughter then laugh with others. If you are a positive person then share that gift by sending notes and cards of encouragement. Some gifts and talents are more obvious and easier to recognize, especially when those gifts and talents belong to others. But even a word of thanks to a bathroom attendant who is keeping a public bathroom clean can make their day and make them curious as to why you even took time to notice. Flash them a Jesus smile and make them wonder why you are so happy. You are happy aren’t you?

Nature is the perfect place to serve God. Take time to enjoy nature. Nature is one of the most awesome blessings that God has given to humanity. Nature is a source of refreshment and joy as we experience God’s glory through his creation. Nature offers all kinds of opportunity to serve God. Through its beauty you can offer praise and worship to the creator for his amazing workmanship! A simple comment about God’s creation may open up an entire dialogue for sharing Jesus Christ with another person. This is the vehicle that can carry the work of being a witness to another person. Nature sometimes leaves paths of devastation. Showing up in a disaster area is another way to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Giving of your own resources to help others in need is also a work of obedience and faithfulness. You may not be the one who organizes the relief effort but you can pour a hot cup of coffee and pass out a sandwich or bottled water in the name of Jesus, the one who loves them.

There are so many places to serve. The question is not where I can serve but rather, “Lord where do you want me to serve?” Do not fall into the trap of comparing what you consider to be “big” service vs. your opinion of what you perceive as “little” service. It is God who knows his servant’s heart and sees the pure act of simple obedience. The smallest act of kindness can bring about life change in another’s heart. So if you are a closet servant, keep up the good work!

When Jesus walked this earth he touched the lives of the people in the market place and on the hillside. Yes, he taught in the temple and healed and forgave sin, but he also prayed for those he loved and he washed their feet. He even cooked breakfast for his disciples, (John 21:12) but ultimately, in the end Jesus Christ gave his all. The cross was a very big assignment straight from his Father. Jesus was an example of a selfless obedient servant. I am challenged to listen for his voice and simply be obedient to the smallest of assignments. We work for Jesus not because we have to but rather because we love him. Our service is not about us or our abilities. It is, about our love for God and our desire to please Jesus. God is amazing. Pure service is God energized. He takes the smallest act of obedience and blows it up into Gigantic God Glory!

Questions:

1. Do you consider your service to your family a high calling from God?

2. How can you serve God with your gifts and talents?

3. How can you serve God through nature?

4. How is God asking you to be his hands and feet, his eyes, his ears, and his mouth?

5. Is God asking you to raise the bar in your life through the work of prayer?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you that you did not shirk your assignment from your Father. Thank you for your obedience that led to your death on the cross. Because I love you Lord, I must learn to listen for your voice and then obey. Where would you have me go? What would you have me do? Where would you ask me to stay? How would you have me serve you? From the smallest to the greatest assignments help me to be obedient. Lord, help me not to question the size of the task at hand by thinking it is too small or too large. Remind me Lord that out of so very many people, there are only a very few who are called to great visible assignments. I imagine that those busy people may not have the time or recourses to do what you asking of me. Remind me Lord that you made me just as you wanted me to be, you have known all my days even before one began, and that you have a purpose for my life. God, I am reminded that you accomplish all of your work through imperfect people. Forgive me when I question my abilities, my giftedness, my talents and my qualifications. Help me to keep my eyes on you and the work you have for me to do. Forgive me for the sin of comparing myself to others. Today Lord I want to practice listening for your assignments. Help me to experience the pure joy that comes from serving you – be it great or small.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

Wearing "Son-Glasses"

“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:1-3, 24 NIV

Today in the garden I am energized and ready to get started on some major gardening projects! I have grabbed my floppy pink garden hat, put on my  matching pink rubber garden shoes, adjusted my sunglasses, and slipped on my garden gloves. Sometimes when I get all of my garden paraphernalia on I look so comical I amuse myself!

This morning my projects are many. I will pull weeds; dead-head spent blooms; relocate some Black-eyed Susans, water the wilted, and plant some additional annuals for color! I am a woman with a plan!!! With my shovel in hand I am just about to reach my destination and do some serious digging when the Master Gardener slips up behind me and stops me dead in my tracks and says, “Did you forget something?” I am on a mission so I don’t even give him a glance but rather shout over my shoulder, “I don’t think so!” The Master Gardener now taps me on the shoulder and says, “Oh, but you did.” Now I am a bit agitated because progress is my goal and the perennial garden is my destination. This time I don’t voice the words but I think to myself, “Why does he always do this?” Duh! I forgot. He knows my thoughts, so now I am totally embarrassed as he says, “Because I love you!” Now I MUST stop. I turn to my Lord and give him my full attention. He simply hands me his “Son-Glasses” and with open hands waits to confiscate my “sunglasses”. Now I’m really upset, because number one, my sunglasses are so cute! I really don’t want to trade them in for his ugly, drab glasses! Number two, I am fully aware that this transaction means major change is on the docket. I don’t think I will ever get over the fact that even though my plans are good and important, somehow God either thinks the job I am currently involved in is not for me or that  once again, I have aspirations that exceed my ability or energy to accomplish. I also know that most of the time God wants to send me on a new journey that benefits the gardens of others. I so desperately want to work in my own garden! I do however; remember that amazingly, I always end up being the one that gains the most from God's new assignment.

When God stops me dead in my tracks I know I am in for more of that life changing, character building, and spiritual growth stuff! I also know that this is not going to end well unless I obey the Master Gardner. I choose to bow in humility before my Lord and ask, “What is it Lord that you would have me do? I will slow down and toss my plans aside for today so that I can do the work you have for me to do.” I now put on my new “Son-Glasses” and look about the garden.

During this "time out" experience, I am reminded that the Psalmist David also asked God to direct his paths. I am learning that when God directs my path I sometimes have to set aside “My To Do List” and write “God’s To Do List”. As I experience different seasons in my life my work often changes. I usually want to continue in the comfortable sameness of my current Christian work but God often wants to stretch me by giving me a new assignment. Other times God has pointed out that I needed to change the way I was currently doing his work. After all, I must remember that what I do  is for his glory not mine.

Over the years, David had many assignments. He was a shepherd, a musician, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a friend, a warrior, and a king. Each of his positions in life stretched him and prepared him for the next phase of his life. I am finding that most of the time my past life assignments have  prepared me for what I am currently doing and that what I am now engaged in now is  preparing me for a  future work   assignment.

The challenge I face is learning to develop a keen spiritual awareness of God. I must tune in to the Holy Spirit and listen to his voice as he speaks the words of my Father. Looking at my life and my service through “Son-Glasses” is extremely revealing. I must learn to tune my ears to the whispers and be alert to the nudges from the Holy Spirit. I must pay attention to new desires and interests that may be God inspired. I must respond when I feel a continuous tug on my heart strings as the Holy Spirit pulls me in a new direction. I must open my eyes to see the needs of others that I may not have seen before.

I am finding that spiritual renewal and refreshment is often a place to start. I must set aside a block of time to focus on God’s will and plan for my life. I must get alone to receive fresh direction and then adjust my priorities. During this time God often confirms that the things I am already doing are right and tells me I must continue the work he has already given me. However, I always want to be sensitive and open to any new assignments that God may have for  my life. I must make sure that I am not running ahead of God and doing it my way instead of his way.

Satan would love to keep me busy doing so much good, attending  meetings, and running from one church project to another, that I never hit the mark of spending time alone with God. Satan can also keep me so busy with selfish and insignificant activities. Therefore, my mind becomes clouded regarding God’s purpose for my life. Stress that comes from overload is also one of Satan’s clever detours. The enemy is also famous for giving guilt trips. Sometimes I feel guilty if I don’t sign on for every need placed before me. Satan loves overload! Once again, I can find myself serving to the hilt but totally missing out on a loving relationship with Jesus. Abundant life is found by abiding and obeying Jesus. It is the spiritual discipline of solitude that clearly allows us to see God’s plan for our life. The discipline of simplicity gives us the rest and energy to do God’s work and do it well.

God’s assignments usually are not easy nor do they come at convenient times. They take time, effort, and discipline and at the end of the day we are exhausted. That is why knowing God’s assignments for our life and doing his work must not be crowded with oodles of other good things that hinder our focus. For me it is important to allow God to search my heart and see what I need to eliminate, what I need to add, and what work must remain.

So today, here in the garden I am trying to tune in to God’s assignments for my life. I am learning that sometimes God’s assignments call for immediate action. When a thought comes to mind it often requires me to act in the moment with an immediate prayer, speak a word of encouragement, give my testimony, or choose to respond  to another as Jesus would do. Other times God’s assignment requires me to act later. My assignment may be to send a note, make a phone call, send an e-mail, write a check, go help a friend in need, or make and deliver a casserole. God’s assignment may also be a hard but temporary undertaking of service. Helping someone you love, helping someone you don’t love so much, raising children, or being a caregiver to an aging parent for a season.

As you know, God’s assignment for me today is taking me away from MY perennial garden where I was originally headed. It seems the Master Gardner feels I am in need of a "time out" in the garden of my heart. He insists that I stop, step back, sit down, and be personally restored.  Experience has taught me that it is during times of refreshment God has made his will known to me. Without a doubt, serving God is a blessing and a privilege. I know that each day I need to take time to focus on what God would have me do that day. I need God’s wisdom and strength in order to serve him and others well and do so in a timely loving manner.

Questions:

1. Have you ever taken time to put on his “Son-Glasses”?

2. In what capacity are you currently serving God?

3. What are the things that God would have you turn loose?

4. What new assignment is God asking you to try?

5. Is God calling you to a "time out" for rest, restoration, and refreshment?

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven,

I confess that today I have more to do than I can possibly accomplish. I confess that I am so busy I don’t even have time to change my “sunglasses” to your “Son-Glasses”. Forgive me for not bringing my service before you on a regular basis for your evaluation. Father, I don’t want to run ahead of you. I desire that what I do for you would be done well. I desire that my service would be pure and selfless work that you can use for your glory. Search me Lord and know my confused heart. I need to see things as you see them. Show me your vision for my life and my service as I look through your holy “Son-glasses”. I pray that all I do will bring glory to you. I thank you Father that you have also gifted all of your children with abilities to personally enjoy. Even David enjoyed time alone in your world singing and playing the harp, he loved on his sheep, he enjoyed friendships, family, good food and laughter. God you have provided for your children avenues for rest and relaxation.  Help me to use my time wisely as I make time to enjoy the garden of my heart. Thank you Lord for your refreshment and rest  so that I might also enjoy life outside of the garden as well.

In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Passion or Platitude

The low easy road of "Platitude" or the soaring high road of "Passion"


“For we are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

Even when I have been actively seeking new spiritual truth I have still felt at times that everything seemed to be commonplace and dull. At times God even seemed to be far away. Have you ever been there?

Acting on shear faith that God was near and that he loved me I begin to search my heart and ask God to do the same. Self examination always offers me time to think about where my passions lie. When I am able to identify my passions I am able to ask God to help me see ways that I can move away from dullness of platitude and on to the zeal of passion!

Some times when I allow myself to enjoy the personal things that I am passionate about I begin to feel guilty, selfish, and even irresponsible. Let me say here that I believe that God has given us our gifts and talents to bring us personal relaxation and joy. These gifts and talents are also to be used to serve others. But without a doubt I know that my gifts and talents must first of all be given back to God to be used as a tool for his use and his glory.

Today I am reflecting on the fact that even before I took my first breath, God had given me my own set of “talents” that he designed specifically just for me. After I became a believer, God also gave me my own special “spiritual gift” so that I might do his work using the giftedness that he placed in my spirit on the very first day that I became a Christian. My God-inspired passion is the vehicle that God uses to carry my giftedness and talents into is service. You too have your own unique package of at least one spiritual gift and many talents that God has designed just for you!

None of us needs to be reminded that our work and responsibilities can weigh us down. Our obligations can become so burdensome that they rob us of finding God’s joy in our life. If our work and responsibilities go unmanaged our daily life becomes so out of whack that we find our life whirling out of control, even to the point of becoming depressed, stressed out and even sick.

Our passions and talents have been given to us to serve as a buffer and they are to be used as a tool to bring relaxation and joy into our life. It has been hard for me to recognize my spiritual gifts and talents. I had to learn to pay attention to what I loved and to what others said that I was good at. The things that I loved and what others said about me became clues along the way to help me to discover my spiritual gifts and talents. When I use these precious life enhancements, I have discovered they are the very things that make me truly happy.

I have many things that I am passionate about. I am passionate about my family. I am passionate about nature. Sunrises, sunsets, the beach, the mountains, beautiful flowers, the changing seasons. All of those treasures thrill me to death! I am also passionate about doing anything that involves my creativity. I am passionate about uplifting and encouraging my family and friends. I am passionate about my quiet time with Jesus. I am passionate about helping others to grow in their faith. All of these things bring me so much joy that I can only respond to God in elation because he has allowed me to enjoy so much! The fact is, because I am passionate about the things that God cares about, I am also passionate about him.

I have also discovered that when my passions are misplaced they are selfish and sinful and I am not passionate about God. When we exchange sinful, self motivated passions for “godly” passion we then become people of purpose. God’s purpose is fulfilled through our life by doing the work he prepared in advance for us to do. Recognizing our passions and using our gifts and talents to serve God brings glory to him, blessings to others, and contentment and pleasure to us. What will you choose – passion or platitude?

Questions:

What are your passions?

Do you have any harmful, selfish, or sinful passions?

Have you discovered your God given passions, talents and gifts?

How can you use your gifts and talents to enhance your daily work and responsibilities?

Have you ever taken a spiritual gift assessment? If no, I would highly recommend doing so through a local church.

Have you ever given your spiritual gifts and talents back to God, and asked him to choose for you and show you how he wants you to use those gifts and talents for his glory?


Prayer:

Dear God,

Forgive me for sometimes living the comfortable life of platitude. Thank you for showing me today that my passions, talents, and gifts are from you and that you have uniquely designed those things just for me. Forgive me when I dismiss using my personal gifts because I feel I am too busy. Help me to identify and find purpose in using my spiritual gifts and talents in all that I do throughout my day. Show me ways that I might use all that you have given me to serve others and build up your kingdom. I thank you that you are not a hard taskmaster that wants only work without passion. God, help me to learn to use my talents and giftedness in ways that are pleasing to both you and me. Above all God, I want your son, Jesus Christ, to be my highest passion. God, I desire that my life bring pleasure to you everyday as I go about my work.

In Your Son's Name I pray. Amen.