Years ago, I observed an interesting event when a friend of mine underwent open heart surgery. The surgery was successfully performed, and the recovery was anticipated. However, as my friend was recuperating some 24 hours after surgery, the medical staff came and got him out of bed! Not only did they get him out of bed, they made him walk the hallways several times a day. At first, I thought they were rushing things a bit, but then he explained what we all know by now. The sooner the body is required to function fully, the sooner its strength and health will return. It is by immediately attempting to function as we were designed to that the body responds best.
I’ve learned that this also is true spiritually. We were designed to know the Lord, then serve Him with our time, energy and resources. We function best that way. The individual who serves the Lord gains all the strength they need to do so, and the church that is geared to serve God by serving people functions best.
We are making preparations for a great season of growth and progress. The needs are many, and a ministry like that of which God has given us requires many people who will serve. Let me ask you, “What is your area of service?” To put it another way, “How will you serve God at FBC?”
One of our leaders e-mailed me the other day and wrote the following: “My gift isn’t giving, but I give. My gift isn’t serving, but I serve. My gift isn’t encouraging but I encourage.” His words exemplify the servant-spirit that make a church powerful in the hands of God – the willingness for God to use us.
I challenge you today to find a place and begin serving. Our staff would be delighted to help you match your experience, strengths and passions with the needs around us; it is something we really love to do. We’re ALL on mission, beginning in our own church – then to the world.
