by David Brenneman
"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:7-11.
What to do, what to do...Some people wonder at just what it is they're supposed to be doing in the body of Christ.
Me, personally, after moving a few years back this became something that I struggled with greatly. Partly because, I think, I grew up in the Church. Literally. I was saved at a very young age. My Grandparents, some Great Aunts and Uncles helped build the very Church that I attended. Mark Lowry once said in a video he did that Sunday Morning, Sunday Night, Wednesday Night, whenever the doors of the Church were opened we were there. My family served in various places in the Church. Serving was a way of life for us. Was just something we did. In practically every single church that I have been in since, I sought out my place in serving. I enjoy helping others. As Scripture warns, my serving was never grudgingly or under compulsion.
Fast forward to today. While in this new hometown, this burden of knowing where to serve is still on my heart. I still don't know so...what to do, what to do? I, as is probably right and true about many of you, don't want to be idle before the Lord. For we will one day give an account of our lives before Jesus.
So, currently, I believe that God desires for me to rest for what is to come. To continue to obey in the writing of this blog. Possibly two books are on my agenda as soon as life for me settles down some. Pieces are falling in place for them and I see God working in that area.
Meanwhile...back at the ranch...whatever the Spirit puts before me to be doing...beit big or small...that's what I do my best at doing.
Your purpose will be made known...or it may not be. The truth is the Spirit is under no real obligation to disclose everything to anyone. Job had no idea why he went through what he did. Daniel dropped into a lions den thinking that life as he knew it was over. Joseph was betrayed by family and sold as a common slave.
David was anointed King over Israel and Judah. Yet it took years and years to receive that position in the full.
We do not choose what we are to be doing in the body of Christ. The Spirit sets us in the body of Christ as He sees fit. That's what the Bible says. This is why some people are realistically unhappy in serving. They are trying to do what isn't for them to be doing.
Read here what Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one part, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But now there are many parts, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And yet, I am going to show you a far better way." 1 Corinthians 12.
Another admonition is do not run from your calling because of adversity. I have heard and often have said that if it's God leading you to it, He will see you through it.
I have sadly seen people who let adversity cause them to run from God's calling for them. Adversity hit hard and they stopped. Oh right now they only think they are obeying in what they are doing. Truth is: Satan won that day with them.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.
Where He leads me I will follow...Where He leads me I will follow...Where He leads me I will follow...with Him...with Him...all the way.
We do not lead the Spirit. We do not get ahead of Him. We do not take the role of Helper. That's His job. We aren't the Teacher. He teaches.
My greatest fears at standing before Jesus had to do with two things. One was in that I had never once read all the way through my Bible. To date, I can't tell you how many times I have read through it. The Spirit helped me accomplish that. I am up to reading twice a day.
My other great fear was to not be found doing whatever it was He wanted of me.
It may not be in the walls of the Church, but I do serve. People need help, I help. God's given me many talents and skills. I use them to the best of my abilities to help others.
For you, whatever He has something for you to be doing. Growing in Christ is paramount. In what He puts before you...do to the best of your ability. Big or small. Doesn't matter what. We are simply called to obey. No matter what that obedience looks needs to look like.
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
Scripture says to be sure of your salvation, then, obey God in everything you do. If coming to Christ is simply enough for a child to understand, remember that living for Jesus is just a simple. Adults mess up life by trying to overthink what it is God wants of them.
Pray and Obey. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself. Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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