Whom Do You Serve?

It's not a trick question. It's actually a very important one that we all need to ask ourselves every once in a while. I found myself having to ask myself the very same question today. And it wasn't easy to listen to the answer!

Plus, it's a tough one - particularly if you consider yourself to be selfless. If you'd like to think that helping others is right at the centre of what you do.

Because the selfless person runs the risk of pleasing people more than pleasing God.

I'm not just saying this to be self-deprecating. It's simply a case of clear vision. And of trying to be content with God’s own assurance of me, of us.

It's all tied up with the concept of working out how you are shaped.  It's in knowing that God has wired each of us in a certain way, and you can use it for good.

If God has gifted you with uplifting words, then use it to build up others, by encouraging. If you are good with your hands, then use it to build things, to repair things.

However, central to everything must be your relationship with God. If not, then you're only trying to please people. And, trust me, only a small minority will ever be grateful, will ever respond.

If you have "people-pleasing" as your goal, you're not really thinking of serving other people. Instead, you’re thinking of how to get them to like you. And you'll be let down.

So, turn this around. Don't think about pleasing others, think about serving others.

Joshua 24:15 (The Message)
“If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve — and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshipped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.”

Serve

Galatians 5:14 (NLT)
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbour as yourself."

Dedicated Follower Of Fashion

"They seek him here, they seek him there,
His clothes are loud, but never square.
It will make or break him so he's got to buy the best,
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion."
(Lyrics from the Kinks)

Don't get me wrong. There is no way that's anything like me at the top of this entry. If anything I'm far too staid for this sort of get-up. Unless it's fancy dress, then I can go a little crazy...

I must admit I've never tended not to worry unduly about my appearance - isn't it supposed to be all about getting the inside right? So what if my suit is 12 years out of date? Surely it's more important to care for others; to have a servant’s heart. And, as Toyah Wilcox once said, "as long as you're warm, who cares?"

However, this is a big deal for some individuals who continue to badger me to dress differently. In the proper 'style'. They are not very subtle - some are downright rude! And I don't respond well to 'rude'.

Now, having said that, I know that I am His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20) and therefore need to dress accordingly. I want to represent Him well. To be smart and presentable.

So, it's all a question of balance. Like many people I know at the moment, funds are tight. And so I need to choose wisely, work within a budget. And not just do like others do.

Anyway, why should I spend great chunks of my time shopping for clothes? My precious time... which could be spent oh so much better...

And then there's the sheer cost of it all!

Anybody got any thoughts on the subject?

Take Us As You Find Us

We've recently been looking at the subject of hospitality in our Corps house fellowship. I never realised how much of a challenge this was going to be to me personally! The course helped us take a look at what was custom in biblical times, when the practice of hospitality was so important. Welcoming the traveller, the stranger.

In modern society we seem to have lost our way here. The stranger is as often as not shunned; the traveller's motives are questioned. It's all rather sad.

Even socially, modern families seem to have reduced this down to basics. It's the exception rather than the rule to welcome others in - and then only for a dinner party/ barbecue / family get-together from time to time. Celebrating those big birthdays. Or to further your career - having the boss over for dinner. It's all etiquette and entertainment.

Modern-day neighbours don't tend to pop round like they used to. Gone are these days of 'take us as you find us'; many of us don't even know their neighbours' names (do you?). And you don't have the same number of visitors at the door - fear of the 'stranger' means they are kept on the doorstep, or are told to go away unless they have made an appointment first.

I've thought a lot about this over the last week, realising with increasing concern that I've more to learn here than most. You see, I've never really been used to that sort of hospitality lifestyle. My mum and dad were very private people. Whilst growing up, visitors were kept at the door, or if allowed in, were restricted to the front room only. My parents used to keep all but the immediate family at a distance, so I never really learnt any of this in my formative years. They were very defensive about visitors - I could have the odd friend around to play, but large parties weren't allowed.

Take Us As You Find Us? Nope - unfortunately, when growing up, we were more likely to take up the welcome mat!

I've learnt a bit more since I first starting working in the voluntary sector - either in church, or through working in a group. Because it's more than just 'open house'. You see, Christian hospitality is all about showing respect for others, providing for their needs, and treating them as equals. Not just at home - but anywhere that we go. And it's about hospitality to real strangers, not just people that are like us but that we haven't got to know yet. Also, Christian hospitality isn't about beautifully prepared tables piled high with picture-perfect food. It's about servanthood; it's about loving others; it's about making people feel special.

I don't disagree with any of that. Indeed, I've been trying to work towards this over the past few years. But I now see that there's more of a challenge for me when it gets close to home, when it gets so very personal - that's when I start getting nervous. Something to work on. Something to pray about.

Interestingly, the latin root hospes, which means guest or stranger, is the root for the English words host (where the p was dropped for convenience of pronunciation) hospitality, hospice, hostel and hotel. All are, of course, connected.

Feeling Tired

I've had cause this weekend to study the effects of lack of sleep on the human body. This past weekend has been a very, very long day! Only myself to blame I suppose - all of the extra activities have been totally voluntary, church-based commitments. But it has stirred up a whole collection of random thoughts in my head, which I need to get down on this blog before I get up for work tomorrow morning. If this post is a little more disjointed than usual - well, that might be one more effect of 'burning the candle at both ends'...

As a result of this 'research' I am well aware of the effects on someone's reaction time. Time distorts; a decision that you would make in a split-second may take you several seconds to make. The morning after a night without sleep is rarely a very productive one for me. I'm reliably advised that a disruption to your usual sleep pattern can produce a slowed reaction -  allegedly as bad as someone who is legally drunk. There's been some interesting medical studies on the topic, some published very recently.

Although many people are aware of the effect of intoxication on, say, your driving ability, we get few warnings on the dangers of 'tired driving' - apart from the one we see on the motorway signs. I try not to drive if I am recovering from a night without sleep.

However, do we ever get warnings of the effects of tiredness on your ability to do a good job at work? Not from some employers I am afraid. These bosses are only concerned about their expenses; in maximising the workload of already-tired staff who are desperate to retain their jobs and their income in a world where employers can't guarantee you the same hours each week... some even offer 'zero-hour contracts'. (I get angry when I think about such things) It's little wonder some people work such long hours: you need to take the work while it is there.

We live in a 24 hour society, with entertainment, information and shopping available on demand and at the touch of a button. Some businesses struggle to keep up with the pace of modern business; demand longer and longer hours from their staff. Others open every hour God sends to ensure they don't lose any opportunity to earn a pound or two.

However, human beings still haven't changed; we simply can't work 24 hours. We still need the basics to survive - food, drink, love... and sleep.

Burning the midnight oil hurts us in more than one way. It disrupts our:

• Digestion
• Appetite
• Physical appearance
• Alertness to danger
• Concentration
• Family time
• Love life
• Social life
• Quality of work
• Moods

I'll leave the final word to Scripture to round us off today. It asks us a most important question: why would we do it? I've had to take a long look at my own motivations this weekend for abusing my body in this way, seriously questioning whether what I am doing is God-glorifying. For if He isn't at the centre of what I do, what is the point?

Psalm 127:1-2 (MSG)
"If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?"

A Busy Day

It was just a few hours after I had arrived home after an extremely busy Sunday; it's noteworthy that it was Commitment Sunday. The day was full, rich, and eventful; packed with all sorts of interesting experiences. By bedtime I was physically and emotionally drained; exhausted. The thought of an even busier weekend next week hung heavy on my mind. And suddenly I read the following blog post, highlighted on my Twitter feed:

http://www.ronedmondson.com/2010/08/7-pitfalls-of-being-an-introverted-pastor.html

Suddenly it all started to make some sense and I saw some definite blessings emerge from reflecting on the events of the day. You see, it's been a bit of a revelation to me to discover the fact that I'm an introvert - but this fact has proved to be a vital key to understanding who I am and how I can best serve my Lord in the Church.

I rejoiced in some of the one-to-one conversations that I had yesterday. These were great. I was also successful not to get 'sucked in' to some of the extraverted 'huddles' that are so difficult for me.

I took pains to rest in the afternoon to recuperate before a busy evening. My son (also an introvert) was keen to give me this luxury and I'm grateful to him.

I also now realise that some of the anxiety and bitterness that I have been carrying around for a while have been caused by me not fully embracing who God made me to be - in many cases, it's been about trying to be somebody that I am not.

I am encouraged to know that God is keen to use me just as I am. I want to explore this more in 2014.

D is for I Dare To Be Different

I love the sentiment of this Salvation Army Songster piece, written by Commissioner Harry Read and with music by Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek. The version I have on my iPod is from the International Staff Songsters.

"I dare to be different, I dare to believe;

I dare to be different, God’s Spirit receive.

I dare to be different, my life sacrificed;

I dare to be different by living like Christ."

Your Humble Servant...

The Corps' bible study group spent a while this past Wednesday looking at 1 Peter 5:6-7. I've been mulling over the passage since then. Here are the verses in the two translations that I use most frequently:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (NIV)

"So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." (The Message)

I appreciate the need to have a servant mentality in all that we do as Christians, however humility needs to be included into the mix if it's all going to work. The aim is not trying to be something that you're not. It's not about fame, or glory. It's about acknowledging who you are; about how this can be developed.

The two verses mentioned are shown as separate sentences in the translations above, however it's clear there is a connection; they need to be considered as one. One scholar I read said that the Greek word for casting (ejpirivyantes) directly refers back to the previous verse, and to the command to 'humble yourself'. In fact, the study group did find one translation that effectively combined both verses into one sentence:

"And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you." (NET Bible)

Compassion and Introverts

Compassion is described as "the virtue of empathy for the suffering of others." It's a truly fundamental part of showing love to our fellow man. I've needed to read up about this tonight, realising that reflection on this topic is vital to something I need to get to grips with in the next few weeks...

But how can anyone develop compassion? Yes, I understand that God is Love, and contemplation of God's love for us will help us clarify the feeling in ourselves. We love, because God first loved us....

However, I've also been encouraged in my readings to "spend time around people" in order to get to know them and therefore to develop concern for their well-being.

Ah.

That's the bit I find... tricky. As a natural introvert, I don't find it easy to deal with situations where there are strong emotions in play. I find that I need a 'time out' to enable me to deal with such issues.

And yet I know there are many introverted pastors and chaplains in church ministry that actually thrive in these sort of areas, developing compassion and insight, and especially using their 'servant mindset' to help others.

Now, there's a target for me to aim for...

Beatitudes and Attitudes

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." - Winston Churchill

The above quotation was one I started reflecting on during the course of Friday, as it seemed to speak right into where I was at the time of writing. This was underlined by the preparation work that I did earlier today for tomorrow's Sunday School: it's all about the Beatitudes!

There's a whole host of different and important meetings and milestones coming up in my life during the next week. For example, tomorrow evening is due to see the launch of 'Messy Church' at our Corps. I need to ensure that I stay ready and in the right frame of mind for all these events because I'm already starting to feel tense about it all. Please join me in prayer tonight to ensure that I keep holding onto the right attitude as I seek to serve Him this week.

Thanks. :)

Contentment - In Search Of A Definition

Lord, I would place my hand in thine,
nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
(He Leadeth Me, verse 3 - words by Joseph H. Gilmore)

Thinking back once again on the subject of contentment, I discover that it's a different concept from happiness, which is something that I guess that most people strive for. Understandable, I suppose - remember, it's engrained into our modern culture. Even the United States Declaration of Independence states that there are certain rights that we each have - among these are 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness'!

No, what we are talking about here is something much more subtle. It's about learning to be content in your current situation. A situation which might best be described as 'less than perfect'. A situation that is made much more bearable because you are not alone. Christ is there with you.

And He is with you when you seek to help others, bringing that same sense of contentment to others when you minister to them, in His name.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (The Message)
A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough.

"The world is full of people looking for spectacular happiness while they snub contentment." - Doug Larson

No Publicity!

Matthew 6:3 (New International Version)

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing..."

I find this phrase has particular significance to me at the moment. Picture the scene: you need to help someone, however your nearest and dearest proceed to kick up a fuss about it. Your relatives and friends try their best to prevent us from doing it. Perhaps for the best of reasons. They may feel we are going too far, doing too much. With the best of intentions they are there to save you from yourself. So, the answer from the Lord seems to be that you should do it anyway and keep quiet about it!

The passage from Matthew 6:1-13 (culminating in the well-known words of The Lord's Prayer) is not exactly teaching us what to do, but how to do it - without making a fuss or attracting too much publicity.  It's not telling us to be deceptive - to avoid the concerns of our loved ones - but to simply go about our work without fanfare or fuss. It's more a direct attack against hypocrisy, against an outward show in our faith without an inward commitment.  Remember, God knows what you do, and He has promised to reward us -  as a loving Father does to his obedient child.

Both faith and works should not be for fame or glory - but simply for Him!

Called to Serve

"How did you get lumbered with that?"

That was the way an acquaintance of mine reacted when faced with the news that I had volunteered to do a favour for someone. The acquaintance merely saw it as an inconvenience to me, whereas I saw it as an opportunity to serve, a chance to do something new. It's not necessary to tell you what the favour is - I'm not telling you this to get any glory for myself - but simply to ask you a question: Who is right?

You see, in the incident related in Matthew 23:8-12, Jesus faced up to a similar issue. Here he was talking about a group of Pharisees who spent their day basking in their own glory, in their own self-importance. He simply gave us another alternative, a life of humble servanthood. We are not called to pursue titles and positions that glorify ourselves. Rather, our attitude should be that of a servant.

Matthew 23:8-12 (New International Version)

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

...and again...

Mark 9:33-35 (New International Version)

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”