Growing and Serving

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

It is a great privilege to grow in understanding and faith and to serve the Lord. I've heard people excuse themselves from serving by saying they don't feel as if they're capable. The truth is that no one has what it takes without relying on God. Instead of focusing on our weaknesses, we need to recognize how powerful and able God is and serve in whatever way He calls.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

God doesn't need people who are gifted. He needs people who will accept His gifts -- who allow Him to work through them. He doesn't need people who are outstanding; He needs people who are surrendered and willing. And serving is one of the best ways to grow our faith and to grow as a Christian. If you don't serve, it's too easy to become stagnant and complacent.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

I like what Warren Wiersbe says in his book, 10 Power Principles of Christian Service. "As stewards, we have spiritual wealth to protect and invest; as soldiers, we have a war to wage and an enemy to defeat; as athletes, we have a race to run; and as farmers, we have soil to plow and seed to sow. And while we're doing all these things and more, we have the glorious opportunity to grow and become more like Jesus Christ."

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