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From the EditorFellowship of ServiceWho, Me? Serve?MentoringThe Role of Christian Women in Paul’s DayElizabeth: A Woman of FaithShopping for Modesty in Egypt |
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A Hunger to Serve
By Lloyd W. Cary
A little two or three year old boy we knew many years ago, upon returning home from Sabbath Services with his parents, proceeded to tie an electrical lead cord around his neck as though it were a microphone cord and began stamping his foot and in a tiny, piping voice, cried out, “God! God! God!” He was imitating the minister who gave the sermon that day.
It seems that, from childhood, we often want to be noticed, heard, or to be somebody. “Children often cry gleefully, “Look at me, Mom!” We still want to be noticed by “the big folks.” Looking around the congregation, it seems the minister is the hub of all knowledge and activity. It is only natural that we would like to emulate our pastor. “If I could only give sermons or sermonettes,” it is sometimes reasoned, “I could help people and live up to my fullest potential.” Or, “My peers would look up to me and realize how spiritual I am!” In short, it is reasoned, sometimes unconsciously, “If only I could give sermons, I could be somebody.” Is this true... giving sermons or sermonettes? Let’s view the matter from God’s perspective. Who Does God Use? | |
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God is known for taking the small and making it great–for taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. Throughout the Scriptures, God uses the small, the weak, and the inexperienced to do great things. Talents and abilities are not the prerequisites to being used by God. God’s requirements are a “contrite and broken heart” (Psalm 51:17). “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind” (Jeremiah 17:10).
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In I Corinthians 1:27 we see that God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. Isaiah 66:2 tells us, “… to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word.” The point is made that God is more interested in a man’s heart and attitude than in the talents and abilities He gives him. You see, “the humility factor” is very important to God. The Icing on the Cake The rewards of being a true minister of God are many. Without question, there is no higher calling. However, being a spokesman for God is often a mixed bag of extreme contrasts. Despite potential blessings of leading people to Christ, the job of shepherding God’s flock can be one of the most difficult, agonizing tasks there is. A minister faces the challenges of being misunderstood, coping with criticism, negativity, disappointment, betrayal, and emotional conflict. He must resist manipulation by others, dealing with satanic attack, all the while being above reproach and working out his own salvation with fear and trembling. In other words, the ministry of Jesus Christ is not for the inexperienced or for sissies! A high degree of maturity is required. Giving sermons and sermonettes are only the more “visible” duties of a minister–the “icing on the cake,” so to speak. It takes many years of growing, maturing, earnest, heartfelt prayer, intense Bible study and experience in many avenues of life before a man is ordained into the ministry. It is a great responsibility to teach others. The Church of God International has recently implemented the Ministerial Apprentice Program (M.A.P.) to test, train and educate those who may be called into the ministry (click here for more info). How Can I Best Serve? Prepare yourself to be used of God. Not all are called to speak (read 1 Corinthians 12:27-31). If God is calling and working with you, there is a natural “hunger” and eagerness in your heart to get involved in the work of God, to help, to serve, and to do. This is good. And like the little boy mentioned earlier, it is only natural to want to imitate your minister in speaking out. It may be well to begin by giving yourself a “spiritual checkup.” Just as we may go to a doctor for a physical examination, so we need to go to God for a spiritual examination. Just as a physician may detect a disease in its early stages, so a spiritual examination may reveal symptoms of spiritual disease such as vanity, jealousy, lust or greed. If we fail to heed the warning signs, a spiritual disease (sin) may set in just like a physical disease and eventually cripple or destroy us spiritually: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).Do all you can to attend each and every Sabbath service. Be friendly. Get involved. Set a good example in word and deed. Chat with those you do not know well, both young and old, instead of the ones you normally hang around with. Perhaps you can help distribute or pick up hymnals. Get involved with the sound system. Ask how you can help. Set you heart on helping the preacher to preach by preparing yourself to listen attentively. Give appropriate audience feedback. Take notes and review them later. And most of all, pray for the preacher, for those around you, and for yourself. Share what you know with others. Pay careful attention to the Scriptures and apply them to yourself. Devise a prayer notebook or spiritual journal of God’s activity in your life as well as your response to Him. Cultivate the attitude of availability–the state of always being ready for use. Then, expect God to honor your faithful obedience to Him. If you do these things you will be serving (ministering) as never before. i | |