Jill Osmon
I have often thought about why we do not serve in the Church. What makes it so difficult to commit? We commit to so many things, some important, some unimportant things. However, when we look at the big picture, we find it difficult to serve weekly or even once in a while. Why?
We live in a culture that is busy; we are constantly engaged in something like social media, binging TV, or video games. We are used to giving a little of ourselves to a multitude of things. Do we give ourselves fully to anything these days? In 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV), Paul says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
We find it difficult to fully give ourselves to anything, yet that is what God is asking from us. Not all of us are called to “full-time” ministry. Therefore, I think for some, they see this verse and think, I have to work and take care of my family. I cannot give myself fully to the work of the Lord. We miss the true meaning of this verse. We are all called to proclaim the Gospel, that is the work we are to fully give ourselves to, and that looks different for everyone.
We serve because that is what God calls us to do, and when we are serving, we are to give ourselves fully. That may be money, time, our skills, all of these, one of these, or whatever we have that God has given us. We are to give fully to the Lord.
Giving only a fraction of ourselves is an insult to God, and it makes us unsteady and moveable. It elevates the earthly, and that can only bring our faith down. When our faith is down, we allow ourselves to excuse our lack of serving because we are busy with earthly things.
We need to challenge ourselves when we are serving to give ourselves fully. It strengthens us, we can stand firm, and our work will not be in vain.