Service

Well if anyone has been on the East Coast for the past 2 weeks they know that they have been covered in several feet of snow. Grant it people in New England, Buffalo, Colorado and the Antartic are probably laughing at us. Stores closed, the government even shut down for 4 days!! I know by now people are probably having cabin fever and want to get out as much as possible. Trust me though I think snow is a product of the all mighty God (as he produced the seasons) the amount of snow I believe is a consequence of the fall and fallen people). With that I am not a fan of snow. I have always disliked snow. Grant it I love to tackle people in it and used to as a kid love to get my sled out and find a steep hill, but as I have grown up I realized that I dont like it. Several reasons can be inserted here but for sake of tangents I wont dive into it. There was something taht I have learned over the past 5 days: something about service. I love a deep discussion about God, and I love studying theology. Theology for me is my main way of getting to know God more as I love to teach or turn to someone and say "hey did you know..." Theology for me isnt something thatI want to keep to myself rather share with other believers to help them in their walks, defend their faith, and be encouraged. Though theology is good I think James hit the nail on the head in
James 2:15-18 (paraphrased):
"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.....and if you say Go I wish you well and do nothing...what good is it? In the same way faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead."

How true does this ring in churches today? Many times churches and Christians love to talk a good game about serving and loving, yet do the opposite. Now by all means I am not bashing the church as I am part of it. I sit through meetings, and sermons, and write sermons and have meetings on the importance of serving others. Yet in the church we can't even serve each other when they are in need. I write this from my own heart. I had the priveledge of riding around with one of our church members finding people who needed their driveway or sidewalk shoveled. These members were in the 80's and 90's and had no money to pay someone to do it. To see their faces and how happy they were to see someone care for them, love them through action was amazing. Something as simple as shoveling snow brought joy to their faces.

Theology is wonderful and strong faith is necessary, but without serving others it is useless, worthless and no good. Thats the problem James had: people who were claiming to have their faith yet doing nothing . Paul had a similar issue in 1 Thessalonians where people werent working (for wages) and relying on the wealthier believers because they just sat back and were waiting for the ressurrection to happen.

In regards to service, Jesus emphasizes the importance of servicing others:

Matthew 25:39-40: "Then the righteous will answer him Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in....when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? The King replied....whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me."

In this context Jesus is seperating the believers from the unbelievers declaring that the believers served when they didnt know they were serving Him. Their hearts were pure and so were their motives.

I have not been in church the past 3 weeks due to snow. As much as I love seeing everyone Sunday morning, worshipping and fellowshipping I had church everyday this week. Serving those who could not serve themselves. Helping those in need. Man if you could see their faces, I saw Christ. I hope and pray that I do not forget those moments. Because those are the moments where I feel like a pastor: serving my community, my church, my area to display the kingdom of God to those who have never seen it. And to remind those who have that there is still work to be done. That they are loved, valued, cared for, and watched over.

Be Blessed.