SERVICE

            How often do we take on projects or commit ourselves to a cause or event and then don’t follow through with our commitment?  I have noticed in today’s world, that people are moved in their spirits to join a cause or to dedicate time to an event in helping to organize or run the event, and then they just don’t show up or they don’t fulfill their part of the commitment.  Take for example a person who commits to bringing or soliciting for, a certain amount of food for an event to feed 200 homeless people on Thanksgiving.  If that person’s food obligation was enough Turkey to feed all 200 people, then the Thanksgiving meal would be short the main dish because they did not fulfill their commitment.  What about a person who volunteers to plan an event for a park excursion for the local nursery of 20 children and then the kids are all waiting at the park, but the person forgets about them and doesn’t show up?  Even something as small as committing to one person to help in collecting or moving them from one place to another.

            I think the world today does not expect children to learn to commit and fulfill obligations when they are young, so they don’t grow up realizing the importance of staying the course and fulfilling their service through their word.  It is a matter of honor, commitment, and morality.  I see in the church today that fulfilling your commitment, or your vow is not as big of a deal to many people neither.  People seem to be more ‘me’ oriented than ‘God’ oriented.

            How would we feel if God did not fulfill His Word?  We serve a God who cannot lie, so once He gives His Word, we can walk away satisfied, because we know what the outcome will be!  If this is the case, then how do we find it so simple to walk away or to easily forget when God tells us to stay the course and to fulfill our word or the vows we make.  Ecclesiastes 5:5  It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.  James 1:3-4  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  Hebrews 10:36  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.  Galatians 6:9  “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  You can see by these verses, that God expects us to fulfill our vows, our word, our commitments.  Whether those commitments are to Him or to other people, our words are not to be taken lightly.

            God’s word also teaches that any service we do is for Him.  Are we teaching in church or at a school?  We do it for His glory.  Are we a janitor or cleaning our own home?  We do this for His glory.  Are we a top executive in a fortune 500 company or the owner of our own business?  We do this for His Glory.  Are we tending animals at a zoo, driving a truck down the road, running a restaurant, administering health care?  We do all for His glory.  1 Corinthians 10:31  So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Colossians 3:23  Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,

            So now I will ask you to consider these words and to carefully look at your commitments.  When volunteering or committing to a task, make sure you carefully consider the cost before you open your mouth to speak or accept a job or a commitment.  Then fulfill your commitment without delay.  Keep the Lord at the forefront of your mind so that you remember who you are serving.  For if we do all things as though for the Lord, are we not going to be more aware of our words, our actions, our ability to do and present our best work?  In this way we reflect God’s character to the world, and He is glorified.

            Who are you serving?  If you answer that question by saying, “I serve the Lord.”  Then I encourage you to take Joshua’s words to heart and truly serve the Lord, for Joshua knew that it was easy to declare loyalty, but hard to stay loyal and fulfill our promises.  Joshua 24:14-15  “So fear the LORD and serve Him wholeheartedly.  Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt.  Serve the LORD alone.  But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve……..But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.  If we keep our eyes always focused on Jesus, we are more likely to fulfill our word, reflecting the morals of a Godly nature than the lacking morals of the world.  Now take the words to heart and don’t say them only.  Make a heart adjustment and a new commitment.  Come forward, kneel at the foot of the cross, and tell God, “I choose You LORD!  I will serve You in whatever capacity or place You give me!  Let me be Your servant that You alone will receive glory!