My friend Emma* serves in several different ways at my church. She helps in the youth group, she sings during worship services, and she’s on a planning committee—among many other things! When she talks about her involvement in various ministries, I sometimes wonder: Should I serve more at church?
Seasons of Serving
There have been seasons of my life when I’ve served in multiple ministries like my friend Emma, but for the past several years, I’ve served solely in music ministry as a keyboardist. And it honestly hasn’t required a lot of my time or energy. I recognize that I could be doing more.
Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever wondered if you’re involved in enough ministries? Have you ever asked yourself if you should find more ways to serve at church?
Friends, it might be appropriate to ask yourself a different question: Why do I want to serve more at church? Is it to “measure up” to my family members and friends? Is it to make myself look good to other people at my church? Is it because I feel like I need to earn God’s love?
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, maybe you shouldn’t find more ways to serve at church. I totally understand the desire to look super-spiritual by taking on more responsibilities at church. I’ve learned from personal experience how easy it is to serve for the wrong reasons. There’s truly only one “right” reason for serving.
All Your Heart
And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:20-24 ESV, emphasis mine)
In his farewell address to Israel, Samuel shared difficult but clear truths with his listeners. I love that he explained why the people should serve God: “For consider what great things he has done for you” (v. 24). Samuel didn’t tell them to serve God in order to earn His love or to make themselves look holy or to make themselves feel good. Serving God—faithfully and wholeheartedly—is about Him, not us.
Friends, we can all be doing more to serve God and others. But God wants our hearts, not our works. As you think about how you’re serving (or not serving) in your church, let that truth guide your decisions.
*Name has been changed.
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