Serving, Who and Why
We can all find ourselves not so willing to serve after we’ve signed up to volunteer for something. Don’t you just hate it when that happens! Will reminds us to check the “Who” and the “why” we’re serving in the first place.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
Last night Melissa and I were watching TV, and I was on my iPad checking my fantasy football team at the same time. I was watching tv, yet simultaneously fulfilling my own agenda. Most of the time, people can catch me “multi-tasking.”
What is even scarier is that I do that with the Lord. I am trying to do things Him… as if He needs my help to accomplish His purposes, yet I let my own agenda sneak in during the process! I get so busy sometimes I really forget why I am doing something, and who I am doing it for. How can we focus on the Lord rather than our own agenda?
1. Spend time with Him every day.
As a full-time staff, we spend the first 15 minutes of our work day just getting focused. I love that it is the first part of our day. It gets our priorities straight and allows us to get more in-tune with how the Spirit is leading us in ministry. The goal is to make it no longer about our dreams, our focuses, our wants… but to be all about the Lord’s dreams and purpose for T Bar M Camps. It is a practice that should overflow into everyday life. We can’t be too busy doing things for Him that we miss out on getting to know Him.
2. Why serve? Our work is for the Lord, not for man.
Countless times, I have volunteered to do something and then dreaded it. Whether it was something that cut into me watching an A&M football game or doing something out of my comfort zone, my selfishness steps in and asks why I would do this? Is it worth it? Maybe these people don’t care what I am doing… maybe nobody will see what I am doing. What is the point?
Well, the point is that we are called to work for the Lord in everything we do. We are here for the glory of God… and even if we don’t see it right then – God will be glorified. Who are we serving? Answering that question should greatly affect how we serve – it should be all about Him.
The Lord doesn’t need us to accomplish His plan. But how cool is it that He chooses to use broken people to bring glory to Himself? Every day, our Lord is making beauty out of ashes. Let’s enjoy the journey of serving.
Camper Corner
We can often serve for several reasons, including obligation, “my parents signed me up for this”, or for recognition. Sometimes it feels good or maybe we feel like we have to. How can you serve with an attitude that gives glory to God?
