The latest ‘flex’ in contemporary Christianity is to be saved and keep the cool.
It’s not uncommon to hear “I’m not into all those church stuff, I just go to worship God on Sundays and that’s it”.
I chuckle whenever I come across thoughts like this , but you know it’s usually cut short with being reminded that a few do not really know better.
So can we rub minds?
I was in the same place some 2 years ago actually, although mine wasn’t because I wanted to keep the cool, it was because I didn’t think I had the right environment where I would enjoy serving God.
Back story, was in about 4 units when I was in medical school in Ukraine: Prayer team, choir, drama team and follow-up but look at who got to Nigeria and for 4 years, asides publishing on the blog, refused serving God in my local church.
While my reasons were worthy of consideration, they weren’t valid in the grand scheme of kingdom principles. There were actually other alternatives to explore, but didn’t want to leave my comfort zone.
So let’s get started.
I would want to believe you’re saved, you have a growing relationship with God and really want to please him so we can answer the next couple of questions together?
I would like to ask, what are your reasons for not serving?
Do you sincerely think there are other ways to move past those reason?
Is this what God or how Christ intended? No
Is Salvation an end? No
Is the Kingdom needing laborers? Yes
I think these questions bring to the fore that no one really does have an excuse not to serve in a capacity and here is a reminder that the popular 2 Corinthians 5:17 doesn’t end there but goes ahead to feed us in about the needful.
2 Corinthians 5:18 AMPC
[18] But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].The ministry of reconciliation has been given to every saved believer
So let’s explore some of the reasons for not serving in any capacity.
1)Fear:
This is one of the many reasons people do not want to serve. They are afraid of the level of responsibility and accountability that comes with identifying with being a laborer.
Afraid to be a model while serving, they do not want to be pointed at. They just want to own, see and learn through their mistakes and errors alone.
This is certainly not a right perspective because it’s not liberating.
God is able to keep and preserve you from falling and should it happen, the church if a healthy community should be able to lead you back to Christ in love.
You might want to read this MY FEARS
2) Not in a good space:
Like myself, didn’t feel I had a good ground because my Church in Ukraine operated differently from what was obtainable in Nigeria.
Other options I could have explored was to look for another branch where I could serve God joyfully but I wasn’t ready to count the cost.
A flip narrative is to enter the system and create that good space. Make suggestions, bring in different ideas.
You cannot influence a system from the outside. You have to get in and proffer better ways.
3)’Busyness’:
Quite a number makes excuses about how much their jobs, families take toll on them, but I think we need to learn a better perspective to living and eternity.
It wouldn’t matter how hardworking you were at work or how much sales you helped your company make in the end.
What would matter is did you do your best to live for God? What then would your answer be.
I am a practicing medical doctor and my schedule as you can imagine is always busy but you know, I’m now learning to find ways to get integrated into God’s service in-spite my schedules.
4) Hurts:
I’m not oblivious to the fact that a number of people have been wounded and really do not want to share spaces with communities that have hurt them.
I won’t in anyway try to dismiss or invalidate what you feel but would want to encourage you to summon the courage to constructively move forward from the hurt- Do not allow the hurt define what you can be and do.
Wanted to initially suggest exploring a different Bible believing church but what happens if you get hurt and there’s no accountability or apologies? Would that mean you get to change church again?
Most importantly, it’s important to be able to speak to God through it so you can be led on what to do.
5)Waiting to grow:
A few times I’ve heard people say they want to grow to a particular level before joining the workforce. While this appears noble at the first thought, it’s a clap-track actually.
Being in the workforce is an avenue to growth. If truly you’re enjoying your relationship with Christ, it should be coupled with the passion to share with others what you’ve received.
To buttress all of the points I’ve shared is to remind us that
Being passive with something that is good is almost the same as being active with something that is bad.
The story of the unprofitable servant reinforces this lesson further.
You’re no different if for whatever reason, you refuse to use your gift, time, talent, resources at your disposal to serve in the Kingdom.
I believe wherever there is a will, there is a way.
Service is a reflection of love.
Love for the Father and people around you
Someone was serving to get the gospel to you, you should also do same.
Cheers to serving .
