Is This Part of Your Community Service?

When I was in college, I attended a Bible study at the college minister’s house basically because it was the cool thing to do and, more importantly, there was a girl I really liked who also attended. I did ultimately convince Julia to marry me, but the truth is, God used that Bible study in one other very specific way. He used it to speak to me in a way I will never forget.

One night, our Bible study leader was teaching verse-by-verse through the book of Romans, and at the end of this particular evening, a challenge was issued. He asked: “What evidence of service in your life can you point to that would reveal you belong to Christ?” That question hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been serving as an eighth grade boys Sunday School teacher for a while, but to me that wasn’t service because it was natural and fun. This question plagued me, because God was telling me to serve in a capacity that wasn’t comfortable and one that would stretch my faith.

Two days later, I started volunteering at our town’s homeless shelter. I woke up every Thursday morning at five to help serve breakfast to homeless men and women. I would arrive early to help prepare the meal, and I would stay after to help clean up while doing my best to minister to and pray that the men participating in the program would get back on their feet. At first, I started receiving questions like: “Is this part of your community service?” and “What are you doing here?” And that’s when it dawned on me! I wasn’t just there to serve breakfast. Questions like that opened up opportunity after opportunity to share the gospel to countless people. God had me at that mission for a season, but it was for a completely different reason than I anticipated.

Jesus said this about service in Mark 10:45: “ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” I don’t share this story to boast or attempt to prove that I’m a great servant. I actually think the opposite is true. I share this story because of the unexpected and exciting experiences I received as a result of obeying the Lord when He told me that as His child I am required to follow His example of service.

Questions for Thought

1.  Are you following Jesus’ example of service in your life? In other words, “What evidence of service in your life can you point to that would reveal you belong to Christ?”
2.  What is keeping you from stepping into a place of service? Who may be able to help you get in the game?

Daily Challenge

This week, ask yourself one question when you walk out of the door of your home, “What is one thing I can do today to serve those God has placed in my life?”