When I joined the Navy, it was a completely voluntary act. But, once I had signed my named on that dotted line, I was in "the service". I wasn't 'made' to serve in the Navy. I was made to serve God. God made me to be His representative in a broken world. He knit me together in my mother's womb with a specific job in mind.
This job is so important that Jesus gave His life on the cross. He saved me so that I could serve Him. You aren't saved 'by' service, you are saved 'for' service. I don't serve God out of debt though, I don't owe Him for what He did, I love Him for what He did. The word the Bible uses in ministry and that word used to scare me. But now I have a better understanding and love serving others.
Serving others here better prepares me for life in Heaven. It took a lot of time for my thinking to change from how can my church serve me, to how can I serve in my church. I think it was made easier by the fact that so many people in my church are so good at serving others. And if I can learn how wonderful serving others makes me feel, you can too. And if you think God can't use you, let me give you some history on some of the people God uses:
Abraham was old when God called Him. Jacob was insecure. Moses stuttered. Rahab was a prostitute. David had an affair. Jonah was reluctant and argued with God. The apostle Peter was impulsive and hot headed. Paul was out persecuting Christians when God called Him. At one point before starting Lifecoast Church, my pastor was basically paralyzed. I'm not "old", but I'm insecure, reluctant, impulsive, hot headed, etc. God's using me, will you let Him use you?
Writing to the Ephesians, Paul reminds them:
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to doWhat is holding me back from accepting God's call to serve Him Nothing, I love serving.
Eph 2:10(NIV)
Remember: Service is not optional
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