What's in Service?

I look forward to Service times in church and the excitement that comes from worshipping in the Lord’s presence and learning at His feet. I enjoy dancing a lot in church too and as I do, I imagine God in His majesty and glory receiving my sacrifice of praise. I remember those days that I would usually analyse worship sessions and be quick to point out errors made by a worship leader, identifying moments when there is a disconnect between the singer and the instrumentalists (maybe because I sing too) but as the Holy Spirit dealt with me over time, I have learnt that true praise and worship transcends the availability of instruments or whoever is leading . After all, when worshipping by ourselves at home, we do not have the drums, piano and other instruments. We can worship and worship genuinely whether those things are available or not. Worship is an act of connecting with God in our spirits whilst we acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives.

So there is this scripture I love so much as it is an open cheque (check) to a world of  all possibilities; a realm where our every need is met, a realm of perfect health and a realm where fruitfulness is guaranteed. It however comes with a responsibility; “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. 26No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfil the number of your days” Exodus 23: 25-26. Your duty is to serve God and His obligation is to bless you, be your personal Physician, protect you from the wiles of the enemy and grant you long life. It’s as simple as that!

It’s a popular thing on Sunday mornings and sometimes during the week for people to say I am going for Service. Service in that context means I am going to church. However, I believe there is a deeper dimension to the word service, more than the meaning we ascribe to it. Yes we go to church to attend service but much more is required from us. We are not just to attend service; we should actually offer our service to God.  As much as we go to the house of the Lord to worship and be strengthened, there are some blessings that accompany service to him and service to His people. God’s blessings are promised upon the worshippers, but there’s another level of blessings guaranteed to some set of people: Those who serve!

David is a perfect example of someone who was a worshipper and a devoted servant. He would go to the house of God to worship time and again, yet with a heart to serve. Psalm 122: 1 says I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord”. He came with a heart of thanksgiving, a heart of praise and worship and yet with a heart of being the doorkeeper if there was a need for it. (-For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness Psalm 84:10 ). As a king, preparing his son-Solomon for the position of the king, he had prepared a choir made up of instrumentalists, praise leaders, worshippers for service unto God; He was a choir leader using our modern day terminology. He was the king but he was so much involved in the affairs of God’s house. Not only did he play instruments, he even invented some (2^nd Chronicles 7:6). He was a versatile person who loved God genuinely and was equally loved by God.

That should be our attitude. It’s high time we got more passionate for God just like we are when it comes to our career. Many people would never go to work late but they stroll to church so casually, dragging their feet to God’s house. A lot of people go for a service of two (2) hours and you catch them dozing. Are you sure you won’t be ashamed when you sit beside David in heaven? Some see church as a place to catch up with their friends, for some, it is to survey the environment for a wife or husband. Whilst that may not be a sin, it will do you good to ensure you have a genuine heart of service to God and you find an avenue to serve.Many people are quick to criticise those who serve in the church yet they don’t do anything.

Before you start to wonder what you may have to offer in church, let me show you something interesting about what you possess from the bible. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel clear understanding simple trust healing the sick miraculous acts proclamation distinguishing between spirits tongues interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when (1^st Cor 12:7-11).Is it not interesting to know that God has wired us all with some gifts with which we are to bless the body of Christ? Everyone has got at least a gift!I so love the choir in my church and the praise leaders when they lead worship sessions. God is so awesome and generous in bestowing such beautiful and terrific gifts on men.

 Oh yes, you've got a beautiful gift too. All you need is to identify it and put it into practice. Some are just gifted to encourage others, some write the newsletters in their church, some preach with great dexterity, some are so anointed to welcome people into church and usher them to their seats, yet some are so effective in washing the toilets. I so love those who make the church a convenient place to worship God without distractions. I like what Joshua said in Joshua 24:15b -. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” God was so sure about Abraham’s commitment to Him that He vouched for him by saying He knew Abraham would command His household to do whatever He (God) wanted. It’s a pointer for us not limit service unto God to ourselves but also to train our children to love God from their early days. It is eternally beneficial to point them in the right direction.

It's time we start going for service with a heart of service: Lend a hand in church, encourage a Brother/Sister, give to the needy, use your gifts. If you are gifted to sing; join the choir, you think you have a flair for intercession; join the intercessors unit. Great joy comes from fulfilment in life; fulfilment comes from maximally using the gifts God has endowed on you both secularly and spiritually. The gifts are maximised when they are identified and put to use. Be effective in all ramifications.

 So when next you go for service, please ensure you offer a service to God and His people as well.

The Pen……