Serve 1 – #3

Sorry for the delay on doing my final post on misconceptions of serving.  School started last week for all of my children, and I’ve been pretty laser targeted as far as my time goes.  I might blog about my new schedule in the days ahead, but only if time allows.  I will say, I was able to get more done last week than I have in months.  In short, your calendar matters, it reflects your life, and you’re the only one that can be responsible for it.  Have I offended some?  Yes!  But I refuse to sacrifice my family, my health, my calling, etc….because of the tyranny of the urgent.

OK, final misconceptions of serving, and what might be keeping you from stepping out of the bleachers and getting into the game.

#2.  I DON’T KNOW ENOUGH.

The excuse I often hear is, “I didn’t grow up in church”, “I’ve never served”,  “I’ve never done anything like this”.

So many people feel like they don’t know enough about being a Christ follower, or about the Bible, to serve.   There are so many serving opportunities that don’t require theological degrees.  In fact, I find as people step-out and do very simple things, yet purposeful things like greeting, making coffee, or setting-up chairs, that often times it leads to God growing that person, and ultimately leading to other serving opportunity doors.

Some of you are still thinking, “I just don’t know enough”,  “I don’t have a wealth of experience to bring to the table”, “My resume is basically blank when it comes to ministry & to serving”.  Well don’t feel bad, because you’re not the first one to be in that boat.  I love what the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church…….

“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.  Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” 1 Corinthians 1:26

If you’re a Christ follower, our leader, the head, Jesus, has offered us a “Servership” position.  The offer is on the table!  The question is whether or not we’ll accept His invitation, and get into the game?  The great thing is, we don’t have to know a lot of things.  You can be a pinkie, a wrist, a knee cap, a 3rd toe for that matter, and begin serving in some capacity.   We’ don’t have to be a brain, or a heart, or something that complicated right away.  THERE IS A “SERVERSHIP” OPPORTUNITY FOR EACH OF US & WE’RE ALL CALLED TO “SERVE!”  The offer is on the table………..”What will your response be?”

The final misconception I’ve come across is…..

#3. I’M SO UNQUALIFIED.

You are far more qualified than you realize.

“For since 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

You & I were created individually by God.  God made us as individuals.  We’re unique, with a God given unique design.  We have a unique way of doing life.

To me…..those words “Good Works” refer to purpose.  Not only are we created with a unique design, but we also have purpose in our lives.  God intends for us to have purpose.   He’s given us purpose. When you take the two – the Design & Purpose together….God’s desire is for us to put those two things to work.

I know what some of you are saying right now,  “Jason, you say I have purpose?”.  “What is my purpose?”  “What exactly am I supposed to be doing?”  “Just exactly where am I supposed to serve?”  “It sure would be nice if God would just drop a note from heaven, and let me know, because I’ve been looking for a long time!”  Let me ask you……..”How many notes have been dropping from heaven lately?”

Let me debunk something.   When a lot of people think purpose, they think of  one big moment, one big job, one big thing that they must do, and they’re working so hard to discover it.  You say “If I could just discover the one big thing, I would do it!”

When God says, “We’re His workmanship, created to do good works”, He’s rarely talking about one grandiose thing that we’re supposed to do.   I think what God is referring to, is that you and I live out of the design that He has put in us.  The words, “good works”, is many things that we’re doing as we’re living out of our design.  The misconception is……..I’m not qualified, but the truth is, SERVING IS JUST A MATTER OF EXERCISING YOUR GIFTEDNESS!!!! Things that you’re already doing on a daily basis, whether at home or at work.   You have been created by God in a very unique way.

By the way, you’ve probably been using your giftedness from day one, whether you know it or not.  How?  You’ve been given a unique approach, a unique style to life.   You have inborn motivations that propel you forward that are different from those around you.  You’ve been made by God to go after certain things, and you instinctively go after them.  I wonder what they are?

When I have the opportunity to use my words to impact people, I’m operating out of God’s design that He has put in me.  It’s who I am, and what I do, and it really doesn’t matter whether it’s preaching, whether I’m in a classroom, or whether I’m speaking in my office one on one.  When I get to communicate, to impart truth, to impact whoever it is that I’m speaking to, that is a part of my design, living out those good works, that God prepared in advance for me.  NOW, YOU DON’T WANT TO PUT TOOLS IN MY HANDS!!!  You see tools and me don’t go together.  It’s not my design, but it may be part of your design??

So, what is holding you back?  Why aren’t you serving?  What is keeping you from getting into the game?  I’ve debunked some misconceptions, and expelled some myths.  Now it’s time for your part.  Do something!!!

If you would like a complimentary spiritual gifts analysis sent to you, let me know?

It’s a pleasure serving Christ with you!!!