Humble and Faithful Servant

I’m starting to feel truly settled in to our new home, community and church. The home renovations are mostly complete, personal items are displayed and hung on the walls, and I finally feel like I can sit back and put my feet up instead of tackling something on the to-list.

One thing I’ve been wanting to do since moving here is get involved in ministry at our church. We found a church home that is a really great fit for our family, but it is significantly larger than our last church. I loved being involved in so many areas of ministry in our previous church that I knew I needed to do ministry here too. I just wasn’t sure how I was going to make that happen. I didn’t really know anybody at the church so starting over with friendships was the first thing I needed to do. I also don’t have all my go-to people who would help me out with childcare when I served in the church. So, trying to find an area of ministry that would work for me in this time of my life has thrown me for a bit of a loop.

I really loved the idea of jumping right into a ministry leader position since it was familiar to me. I have to admit, I had a prideful moment where I simply thought I was just meant for leadership. I inquired about some full-time ministry positions that had come available at our church and both seemed like great fits for me. I loved the area of ministry and I felt I had the qualities they were looking for. However, the more I inquired about the positions, I realized that I was not able to fit the time requirement. I would need to be present at the church throughout the week and that just isn’t possible at this stage of my life. I was bummed and disappointed. I felt my pride take a bit of a hit. I turned to God and asked Him, ‘Father, what do you desire from me? Please open a door to ministry for me.’

Some weeks went on and the pastor finally announced the new leader of the ministry I felt could have been mine. Again, I felt my pride and jealousy well-up.  I didn’t want to focus on it or even address it. So, I continued back into prayer with the Lord and asking Him the same thing again, ‘Father, what do you desire from me? Please open a door to ministry for me.’  

This time, I felt Him answer, but it wasn’t the answer I wanted. As, I was volunteering in my youngest sons Sunday school class, the lead ministry leader was discussing how they were truly in need of a group of volunteers to assist in cleaning the toys in the children’s ministry classrooms. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but again I came across this need in the bulletin. I hummed and hawed over it for a week or so. I simply couldn’t shove aside the Spirit nudging me to step into this role of stewardship. All I could think is that I hate cleaning children’s toys; it’s such a tedious and boring task. But then I had my ah-ha Spirit moment. The Spirit spoke to me and said, ‘You are not too good to clean these toys. Cleaning these toys are not beneath you. Will you be obedient to me? Will you put aside your pride and humble yourself before Me?’

It’s that moment the Spirit convicts you and you know He’s right. You realize your pride in that moment and how wrong you were to think that way.

At the same time the Spirit revealed this to me, I was going through a Bible Study on Colossians. Paul makes it very clear that we are to do all things for the glory of God:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” Colossians 3:24

That Scripture spoke volumes to me. I realized that everything I do is for His glory. My life should be a constant reflection of a new and transformed life in Christ. I want to come before Him at the gates and hear Him say, ‘Blessed are you, my humble and faithful servant.’

The Lord uses every situation in our lives to continue to transform and sanctify us. I’m so thankful He cares so much about my salvation that He is always placing me in situations that tackle the stubborn parts of my heart.  It was when I put aside my pride, that I finally could see His big picture.

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

I had been so selfish and thinking solely of myself- my desires, needs and reputation, that I had neglected to think how my serving in this role would bless others. For the ministry leader this would give her peace of mind and assurance that this was being taken care of appropriately and for the children it ensured clean toys for them.

When I finally saw God’s plan for me, I realized my foolishness. I am excited to be part of a ministry of ladies at our church coming together to do the Lord’s work. I look forward to all He has planned to do through us. I know He will use each one of us and our unique gifts to better this ministry. I already see the Lord using me in a very special way in this ministry. I wanted to be a leader and He’s given me the opportunity to do so within His parameters. I’m finding joy in this role, where before I had only felt disappointment. It is when we humble ourselves before the Lord that He will lift us up (James 4:10). He will remove from us our hard hearts and give us a heart of flesh eager to serve and follow Him in obedience and faithfulness.

Many Blessings!

SHARE: I’d love to hear of a time the Lord called you to obedience and humility. How did you respond? How did the situation turn out?