Whatever It Takes

We volunteer.  We serve.  We sacrifice our time, get up early on Sunday, and pour ourselves into ministering to others.  But are we really willing to lay aside our selfishness to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ?  Do we really realize how every individual person and every individual role is significant in God's eyes, because we are essentially serving Him?  Do we approach each act of service with that attitude?  ...that what we are doing is eternally significant.  Not only are we serving our great God, but we're also serving His children and potentially changing lives forever. 

Steven Furtick wrote in Sun Stand Still:

When it comes to the ministry of the local church, I believe every member is a link in the chain of the life-change process.  The grace of Christ flows through you into the lives of those you serve.  No act of service is insignificant when done for the most significant purpose in the universe: proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When you see yourself as a connector to the current of the power of Christ, everything you do takes on meaning.  You're not just a normal Christian who is just a volunteer.  You're not just a church member or just an employee. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, you're a connector to the current of the power of Christ.  You are a servant of the Most High God. 

I don't care who you are or what your role is...be it: rocking crying babies, picking up trash, preaching the sermon, serving coffee, parking cars, playing in the band, passing the offering, running sound, greeting people as they come in, or setting up chairs.  In the eyes of God, what you are doing is significant when you are doing it with a heart to serve Him.  I don't even care if it's under the umbrella of "church" on a Sunday morning or not.  Our daily lives should be an extension of what takes place within the building we meet in on a Sunday.

When I was growing up, I spent 6 (if not 7) days a week in my church building.  It doubled as my school during the week.  Kindergarten through 12th grade...that was my "home".  I can still remember one of my pastors (also a teacher) being around the building after school, and he'd always be doing some sort of odd cleaning task.  Vacuuming seemed to be one of those never ending jobs.  But I distinctly remember that he was always whistling while he did it.  I distinctly remember his attitude.  He did it joyfully.  He would say that he was doing it for the Lord, and it definitely showed.  He realized that he was doing it for a greater purpose. 

This is challenge to myself more than anything.  Do I serve joyfully?  Do I do everything without complaining?  Am I willing to be flexible and step in wherever I can be used in the moment?  Am I really willing to do whatever it takes??