At The End of The Day

My days are full lately. Some of my time is filled with mundane "daily things" dishes, dinner and such. Other moments are spent working, talking and praying with folks on the phone, attending church events (bible study, book club etc..) and driving a myriad of places for a myriad of reasons. I was voted "most likely to join if a new group forms" by some friends because my name showed up in half of the categories on our churches "group list". Some say that I should learn what the word NO means and use it. The thing is I don't want to say no.

My greatest fear, is that at the the end of the day when I ask, "Lord did I serve you well"? He will say no. This is hard, because the reality is most days I fall way short of the mark. My hearts desire is to serve God. This of course seems easy when you go on a missions trip or put in time at a homeless shelter. There you"re purpose driven. The goal is clear. But what about the other times? Exactly how does one measure service to God? Is it more prayer, diligent bible study, or random acts of kindness? Is it saying Yes more often than saying No when someone asks for a moment of your time?

I have spent a lot of time this week searching for an answer to this question. For those who wish to chime in, don't worry I know that "works" won't get you into heaven. I totally understand that it's the blood plus nothing. This is not what I am referring to. I'm talking about SERVING GOD. What does this look like?

I thought that I was getting a handle on it, until this week when I hit a brick wall. I have gotten quite a few calls this week from folks searching for some Godly wisdom and counsel. I haven't been able to muster up much. All I have managed for the most part is to cry with them, laugh with them and pray with them. No wisdom surfaced. I had no answer for their pain. God has been silent and I can't explain it. So I found myself retreating. Voice mail answered my calls, and I avoided any type of contact that didn't involve a commitment I had previously agreed to. O.K. So now I'm in hiding. Can't very well serve anyone like this. Paul never quit! I needed help.

God knew it too. (I know, no big surprise) I sought His forgiveness for bailing on Him. He responded with a gentle hand and a loving admonishment. "I don't require you to answer for their pain, only that you respond and not ignore it. I have entrusted to you a gift of compassion, this is why they call. If you answer and cry, or laugh, or pray with them. Then you have served me well this day".

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen! 1 Peter 4:10-11