Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Serve Where You Are

1Corinthians 7:17
In every church I tell the people to stay as they were when the Lord Jesus chose them and God called them to be his own. Now I say the same thing to you.


I love this verse. Paul is telling the followers of Christ to serve God right where you are. If you work, serve Him there. If you are a stay-at-home mom, serve God from there. If you are single, serve God in that setting. If you are married, serve God there.

1 Corinthians goes on to talk about serving God as a slave, if you were a slave while called, etc...

There is tremendous freedom in this verse. This is telling us that we don't have to be perfect in order to serve Him. We don't have to be like the person standing next to you on Sunday morning. If you are a Christian, you have been called to serve God right where you are!

Come on Ladies, look around you and see how God can uniquely use you today.

17 comments:

The Patterson 5 said...

Thank you for the wonderful encouragement today reminding me that right here, in my home, is where God wants me to be! I can serve him by being a wife and a mother, raising a family that loves the Lord.

Sharon said...

This is good,,, I know lately I have been trying really hard to do this.. I think he knows my heart, But there is always room for improvement.
What a wonderful reminder
Many Blessings to you my friend
Sharon

Sue J. said...

I commented over at "On Purpose's" blog last week about serving, that we often make much ado about it, when it doesn't have to be that complicated. (This is how Martha ended up struggling.)

We think doing the dishes, laundry, bathroom cleaning, mopping up after the kids is so....well....useless. But, if no one did the work, who would?

Jesus washed filthy dirty feet that walked alongside Him day after day after day. Some might say that they didn't actually serve very much. But, the disciples were learning how to serve by being in His presence.

When we have thoughts that we aren't doing what we were called to do in our service to Him, perhaps we need to be in His presence.

Kelly said...

As a song lover, this reminds me of Billy Joel's song - "don't go changing to try and please me...I love you just the way you are."

Or the fact that Christ loved us while we were still sinners.

God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called! We can all serve in many different ways.

On Purpose said...

Amen!

See where God is and join Him!

Nicole said...

Thanks for this reminder! The Lord is really speaking to me today regarding perfectionism. I don't have to be perfect! Amen! Help me Jesus. I need your help to really know this!!!

Nicole

Starr LaPradd said...

God can really work through us tremendously when we are less than perfect. If we think we have it all together, then we probably think we don't need Him, right?
That's why He can use me, I guess!I'm pretty imperfect!!
Love,
Starr

Pennies In My Pocket said...

Great post! We need to find ways to serve Him where ever we are...even if we are SAHMs. Sever Him by serving our families and sharing His love at the grocery store!! :-) There are always ways to serve!

~melody~

Eve said...

We may never hear from others we have touched by our words or actions but our duty is to sow the seed, someone else may water, and another bring it to the full fruit.
God uses anyone who is willing to serve.

Edie said...

This is great encouragement. It is sometimes so easy to think that what we have to offer is insignifigant, but God is pleased with whatever we offer to Him.

Joyfulsister said...

Hey Sister!!
I love this post, it is such an encouraging reminder that we all do matter, no matter what we do or where we are serving at. Do it all unto the Lord, and the best way he gives to do it. Got back from camp, rested and going to visit my sistah's. Did you change your blog while I was gone!! well I luv it, seems like many of my sistah's had a blog makeover while I was gone.
whoo hoo!!!

Hugz Lorie

My ADHD Me said...

I like this post. It is great encouragement for those of us who "aren't like the person standing next to you on Sunday morning" or even Monday morning, Tuesday morning and Wednesday Morning. :)

Debra said...

Hi Sonya,
I am tagging you to play A-Z about yourself. Come to my blog to see how to play. I'm also giving you the "Brillante Weblog Award."
Love, Debra

Bonita said...

This is a great message and perfect balance to the idea of developing a ministry. Our ministry is right in front of our eyes!

B His Girl said...

My thoughts were on the same thing yesterday. A friend of mine left her job at the church and is now working in retail. She shared stories in our Bible study how God is using her in Ann Taylor Loft of all places! God's eyes are always looking to and fro throughout the earth to show himself strong in hearts that are perfect toward Him. Sometimes we worry if we are where we are supposed to be and God is looking where our heart is. Sonya, I like your encouragement in your posts. He's using you NOW!: )
Thanks,
B His Girl

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

I am echoing your post!! Well said, and doesn't the character thing always get you the first few weeks of school. Yikes!! Our week hasn't been blissful to say the least. I got out the video camera and got some of the whining/complaining on film and had them all sit down and watch/listen....very powerful. They couldn't believe what they sounded like either.

Renna said...

I like this passage, too. God in us equips us; He asks that we be willing vessels.

Thank you for your comment on my blog today! :-)