I Have Decided…To Serve My Jesus

For many churches in the USA, it’s the time of year to ask for volunteers. A new school year often means a new year of service for many programs at church. No matter where you live in the world, it’s never a bad idea to reflect upon service at the church you attend regularly.

In 2003, the Barna Group listed a statistic that showed 21 percent of the U.S. population volunteers to help at church.* I’m hoping if we were to check the statistics inside the church, the percentages would go up, but even then, how many who serve could say they do so the way the Bible teaches? Did you even realize the Bible gives us advice on the subject?

2^nd Corinthians 9 has been a good guide for me when it comes to my ministry service. The context is more about financial giving, but I believe it applies to our stewardship of service as well.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Cor. 9: 6-8, NIV

These verses are PACKED with insight we need before making a decision to volunteer at church:

1. The Lord wants us to be generous with our resources, including our time & talents. This isn’t written in order to guilt us into serving, but to remind us of the spiritual blessings that follow when we do.
2. Service is a decision, not a compulsion. Freedictionary.com defines compulsion as “an irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of the motivation.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said “yes, sign me up,” because I knew I would feel guilty if I didn’t. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will prompt us to act quickly with a decision to serve, even if it doesn’t make sense. But you can discern when it is His instigation, because it will always be rationalized with Truth and peace in our inner being, not guilt or confusion.
3. God, in His grace, by His grace, because of His grace, will give you everything you need to do His work. It may not always be easy, but you will lack nothing as you depend on Him.

I love that God instilled this wisdom in Paul to share with the Church, because instead of it being a beating to guilt us into begrudged giving, it’s an encouragement to pray we will enter into Spirit led, faith-filled service.

So let me encourage you to pray, even today, that the Lord will guide you into cheerful service at church. I don’t think I need to tell you that you should serve, (even if you can only do something that requires an hour a week in the busier seasons of your life), but pray He’ll lead you where to serve and give you the right attitude.

Does He want you to hold babies or greet people at the door? Can you type up power points for worship, help build the church a web page or send out notes to those with special needs during the week? Maybe you could start a prayer ministry or join one. Do you need to get over your fear of singing in the choir or leading a Bible Study and step out in faith? I’ve heard of churches organizing meals for the sick and opening food pantries for the homeless. Perhaps you could welcome new people or help get supplies ready for children’s ministry. Pray, “Lord, how can I serve you? Show me, and I’ll obey your lead, even if it seems crazy or out of my comfort zone.”

One more tidbit. If you volunteer for something, complete the commitment if at all possible. If after signing up, you think you’ve made a mistake or feel called to a different ministry, pray to finish out the one you began. The Lord will work it out for your good, and probably someone else’s too. If He leads you to walk away in the middle, by all means, do it, but make sure it is Him guiding you. I feel led to say this because often when you step into a ministry, it can be different than it was described to you or than you thought it was going to be…harder, more time consuming, etc. These types of situations can be a sanctifying time spiritually, and faith stretching too.

Want to know what it looks like when we’re engaged in Spirit-led, intentional service in our churches? 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 goes on to tell us.

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but it is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

He’ll give you “surpassing grace” to serve Him if you’ll follow His lead. Have you decided to serve your Jesus?

* Source: Barna.org.

LauraLee Shaw

Daughter of the Almighty, wife of 20 years, Mama bear & taxi driver to 3 stinkers, mentor, sister, friend, writer & speaker. I long to be authentic & share the Word of Truth in person and online.I like to mix my life experiences--the big, the small, the great & the ugly--along with a bit of dramatic humor, in order to show how the Lord has been up close & personal each step of the way.My testimony can be found here: A Patch from My Past.Also Join me on Facebook, or Twitter, or my personal blog.

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