Service

For the first Sunday of every month, my local home church has what we call a "sharing meeting" instead of a typical sermon on the pulpit. The only structure given to this service is that of an opening with a hymn and a prayer exalted by any elder led by the Holy Spirit. After this simple worship, the floor is open to any brother or sister, young or old, English speaking or Chinese speaking, to share with the entire church body anything that he or she has been learning or is going through in life. These few hours once a month are a precious time, for we are given a glimpse into the spiritual life of fellow worshippers and a larger understanding of the work the Holy Spirit is doing in the body as a whole. Yesterday was no different. Often the brethren share on an individual experience in which he has experienced some characteristic of Who God is in a very real way. The underlying theme at yesterday's sharing meeting emphasized the importance yet difficulty of serving within the body. Within the two hours allotted to this sharing time, over half a dozen people made themselves vulnerable to the congregation, all focusing on the topic of service. The difficulty of serving seemed to be the common ground for more than one, two, and three - nearly all those who came to the mike expressed some barrier blocking their ability or desire to serve. As individuals, each did not have the energy, the fire, the courage, nor the faith, in him to come prostrate at the feet of the Almighty God. You know what though? God does not just leave us feeling helpless, lacking in strength and trust. He calls us out to serve two by two, never alone. He sends us out in pairs, whether it be with another believer or with the Holy Spirit leading the way. Luke 10:1 reminds me that He never leaves me hanging. And what is even more amazing is that those who obey and persevere will return with joy, as the seventy did in Luke 10:17 returned with joy. I am reminded that though serving one another may not be glamorous nor easy, serving the Lord results in joy in us and glory to Him. Joy - what a fulfilling place to be at; that is where I want to be, what I want.
Let's serve together and serve one another!

Be encouraged!