Spare Change

This is the 2nd of my 43 things, and it is also the 2nd “mission point” of the Baptist Men On Mission Mission Statement.

Obedience is never as easy to do as it is to say. Jesus himself asked the question, “why do you call me Lord, and yet not do the things I say?” with that question, he shows the reality of what it means to call Jesus Lord, and man’s perpetual inability to submit to that Lordship.

So Jesus places commands upon my life that too often, I treat as mere suggestions (and admit it, you probably do, too). I treat the instructions of Jesus like a cafeteria menu, rather than a comprehensive plan for living a lift of holiness to bring him glory.

So I want to obey Jesus. I want my obedience to him to be a testament of his grace and mercy, rather than one to the law and rigor of being under God’s authority.

That’s the car I want to drive, so to speak. The gas that makes that proverbial car go vroom is service. Service through my church, to be more specific about the metaphorical “ultra high grade gasoline.”

Why be so specific? Why can’t I just serve, anywhere? Well, I can. The church isn’t a requirement for Christian service. I can serve in Christ’s name through my own volition, on my own, apart from everybody. However, God has given us the church for a couple of reasons. These reasons facilitate my effectiveness and better accomplish the Lord’s will.

For example, when I serve through the church, I don’t have to be a John Wayne Christian and find myself alone with only my own spiritual six-shooter to get the work done. I can team up with other like-minded believers to do the work God has called me to perform. I can synergize (buzz buzz) with them to accomplish much more than I could on my own. When I get weary and might otherwise stop serving, I can let others step up and take the lead while I regain my strength.

When I team up, too, I can accomplish tasks that I would otherwise be unable to do on my own because of my limited human resources (physical or otherwise). The Bible calls this “being part of the Body.” I call it “not having to stick out like a sore thumb.” I love the fact that, through the church, I can take part in serving others by praying, tithing, or working behind the scenes (as the situation may dictate).

Also, when I serve others through my church, it deflects glory or attention off of me and on to the One who (alone) rightfully deserves it. When I serve on a team, through the church, the ministry can better complement the Messege, with less attention going to the messenger.

Serving others can be perceived as “work,” but really, it’s simply a spriritual exercise. It in itself is an act of worship, which is #1 of my 43 things.