Why do I have to do this?
Apr 13th, 2010 by ljkim
“If God is so great and powerful and active in this world – then why does he need us? Why does he need me? If he can do it without my help, why not just leave me alone?” The short answer is, it’s a gift. The stuff God wants you to do will make you extraordinary. Because in some way…you need to serve (something other than yourself), make a difference (in other people’s lives), and be a part of what God’s doing. Imagine if you were a great filmmaker, and you were making a movie that was going to be the next great movie – I would love to be part of it somehow, wouldn’t you? Wouldn’t it be cool to be part of something like that? God who’s in the business of saving the world – and saving you, in ways you don’t even realize yet…the greatest thing ever…wants you to be a part of it. He refuses to shoot one scene without you in it. He’s willing for things to take a little longer to get you up to speed too. And whether you know it or not, it’s you who really needs this!
In the past few years here, I’ve gotten to know a lot of interesting people. People who make a lot of money, people who are homeless, people who are really young, people who are really old. And one thing I’ve noticed is the people who are most invested in serving others – are the happiest. The ones who live the most for themselves are the least happiest. Also, those who push themselves to serve others most are better at pushing themselves to do things they need to do. Those who don’t push themselves to serve others aren’t very good at pushing themselves to do anything. Not only that but as I learn to invest myself more in doing my Master’s work, investing more in other people, I find that I learn things through other people that I normally would have had to learn in much harder ways. In other words, serving others helps me grow a little wiser.
Happier, more empowered, wiser… not to mention getting to be part of something incredible… Yes God asks us to be “servants” not because He likes bossing us around, but because He is a Servant Himself, and He wants us to share in His glory.
So how can I try this myself? Here’s where to start: (1) talk to someone you wouldn’t normally talk to. Treat that person with all the kindness and dignity with which you would treat Jesus. The way you know you’re doing it right is – even though the person might not have been someone you would not have normally talked to – you should find things to enjoy in the person – and in the end feel like you would have missed-out if you never knew this person. (2) Then look for ways you can serve (rather than take) from the person. (3) Then move on to someone else while not forgetting the first person. And slowly expand your circle. Eventually you’ll get a clear idea of what your ministry might be… You can’t come in with a ministry first – if you’re really “loving neighbors” you need to know them first – that’s always the first step…
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