Practice: Service

“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”                         I Corinthians 3:9

The practice of service is an outflow, a giving to others, but there’s more. When you serve from the great supply of God’s love shed abroad in our hearts, you are part of something much bigger than you. You are a co-laborer in furthering the cause of Christ, one whom God employs as an assistant. You are employed, engaged, entrusted, engrafted into the body of Christ. There is a belonging and a sense of purpose that meets our deepest human needs. God created you and called you to be part of his body, his hands, his feet to advance the kingdom of heaven during a brief window of time called, your life. Without you, there would be something missing, a part of the plan that was allocated just for you to carry forward.

But the world says, be free, be independent, Christianity is a crutch for the weak and naïve. Why would you give without receiving, pour out your life to the undeserving, get up early to be a warm smile, give away your gifts without pay? You don’t belong to anyone but yourself. Live your life. It’s your life. Sound familiar?

Independence invites you to go it alone, but don’t be deceived. It leaves you there, alone. You were made to be part of the great adventure where dependence on God is required.

To serve is more authentically translated from the primitive root to serve, till, enslave, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, etc. Why does this definition bother us? It treads on my free will, my freedom…my life. Can you feel that?

Do you believe your plans for your life are better than God’s plans for your life? It’s a decision. He won’t force you to choose His best for your life. If you don’t, at some point you will run out of you and deeply long to be part of something greater.

What does it mean to be a co-worker in God’s service? Paul was explaining to the Corinthians that each person plays a part in advancing the kingdom. One may plant and the other may water but God gives the increase. Paul had some extraordinary gifts and so do you. When I compare myself to Paul, I’m paralyzed with inferiority. How could God use me?

“God expects us to get our own hands dirty just as he dirtied his own. God doesn’t save us so we can soak in religion but so that we can go out and spread his love to the masses.” Dirty God p. 172

Let’s refuse to let negative self talk keep us from being part of God’s field, building, and the great adventure He designed for our lives. Are you ready to get your hands dirty?  Start by taking this free survey to identify your gifts.

Once you’ve identified your gifts, “You’ve got to give your gifts or they may become your idols, your identify, and you become the walking dead. If your living is not about giving, then you’re already dying. You’ve got to use the life you’ve given to give others life.” The Broken Way, p. 197

Do I have what it takes to serve?  Here’s a great message regarding God’s supply.

How will you get your hands dirty for God today?

What fears stand between you and the great adventure He planned for your life? Read Erika’s story about how she overcame her fears of partnering with God in her business.

Who provides the strength you need to get started?

In His Unfailing Love,

brandi

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