Finding Joy in Serving

We just wrapped up another successful VBS week at our local Church.  This year, unlike previous years, two of my daughters have experienced first-hand the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.  The older one described her experience with so much excitement.  “Mom!”, she said, “When sister Olga laid her hands and prayed over me, suddenly, I had word vomit! Words I’ve never spoken before just came pouring out of me!”   

 

 

To be honest, I was overwhelmed with joy.  

 

To my shame, when the team first sought volunteers, I had purposed to sit this one out.  “I can catch up on so much of my paperwork while the kids are at VBS”, I thought.  But I’m so glad I didn’t. Though I feel my part was surely the bare minimum, it was the collective efforts of many that made this year such a success.   

 

Because I did my very small part, I was able to equally share in on the joy of a successful harvest with the rest of the team.  

 

I’m convinced, as believers we often underestimate the significance of our role in God’s service.   

 

We automatically attribute all credit to the group on stage, the ones with the biggest roles.  But when I look through the lens of scripture, I see an entirely different picture. 

 

Every contributor, big or small, equally share a portion in the reward. 

 

In the OT, there is a story from the life of David.  Just prior to his promotion as King, David and his army have set on a mission to rescue their families that were taken captive by their fierce enemy, the Amalekites.   

 

Every soldier contributed what they could.  There were many that stayed behind because they were too faint to continue in battle.   

 

God gave them the victory.  

 

They recovered everything that was taken captive and a large spoil of goods on top. When they returned from battle, David gave all soldiers an equal share of the goods that were gained from battle. 

 

The front-line warriors began to complain.   

 

 

“These 200 men didn’t go with us, so why should we give them any of the things we took”. (1 Sam. 30:22 ETRV) 

 

But David reassures the men that it was God that gave them the victory, and not their own special abilities.  Thus, the reward is to be equally shared with all. 

 

“No, my brothers. Don’t do that! Think about what the Lord gave us. He let us defeat the enemy that attacked us.... The share will be the same for the man who stayed with the supplies and for the man who went into battle. Everyone will share alike.”   (1 Sam. 30:23-25 ETRV) 

 

Regardless of where you currently serve, don’t underestimate the value of your contribution.   

 

It’s God that brings in the harvest of souls. Whether you’re the greeter at the door or the leader on stage, he will give you an equal share of the joy from being in his service.  

  

 

 

Supporting text: 

 

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. (1 Co. 3:7)

 

See parable of the hired workers in the Vineyard