shawnw

Raise your hand if you’re a gadget junkie.

Yeah, me too.

Remember when you got that awesome new gadget that you just couldn’t get enough of? You know the one. You ran the battery down by noon every day because you just couldn’t put it down.

Everyone you knew heard about (and probably saw) your new gadget. How many times did you say, "dude (or dudette), you gotta get one of these?" Too many times to count, right?

It didn’t take long before everyone you knew – friends, family members, coworkers – heard about your new favorite toy.

Why is it, then, that we can share all about our newest little obsession but we can’t share about the saving power of Jesus? Isn’t he more valuable than anything we can own or hold in this world?

And neither am I. (I figured it was best to get that out of the way immediately.)

The following is from Claudio Oliver’s article titled “Why I Stopped Serving The Poor:”

The only way to remain with the poor is if we discover that we are the miserable ones. We remain with the poor when we recognize ourselves, even if well disguised, in him/her who is right before our eyes. When we can see our own misery and poverty in them, when we realize our own needs and our desperate need to be saved and liberated, then and only then will we meet Jesus and live life according to His agenda.

and…

Jesus calls us to become incarnate and to see ourselves in the other and to place ourselves under him or her as powerless dependents. He calls us to give up in trusting our own capacity to impart goodness and to change our direction in order to encounter and recognize our own wounds, weakness and pain. From there, we discover the power that lies in being less and not more.

It’s impossible for you and I to BE Jesus.

It’s a term I’ve used in the past when serving, and I hear others use it. We need to stop elevating ourselves to His position. His position is unattainable. He is Most High.

It’s time to get low. “Forehead on the ground” low, if necessary. And to share in the sufferings of Christ.

Are you ready?

Sometimes, things are best worded by a song.

Cause I know that you’re alive
You came to fix my broken life
And I’ll sing to glorify
Your Holy name, Jesus Christ

You bought my life with the blood
That you shed on the cross
When you died for the sins of men
And you let out a cry, crucified
Now alive in me

These hands are yours
Teach them to serve
As you please and I’ll reach out
Desperate to see all the greatness of God
May my soul rest assured in you

I’ll never be the same
No I’ll never be the same
Cause I know that you’re alive
You came to fix my broken life
And I’ll sing to glorify
Your Holy name, Jesus Christ

You’ve changed it all
You broke down the wall
When I spoke and confessed
In you I am blessed
Now I walk in the light
In victorious sight of you

Fire fall down
Fire fall down
On us we pray
As we seek
Fire fall down
Your fire fall down
On us we pray

Show me your heart
Show me your way
Show me your glory

Serving is part of the Christian faith. Jesus came to serve, not be served, so it’s only logical to think Christians should adhere to the same principal.

That being said, I often here Christians say, “how do I serve? Where do I start?” If you’ve ever asked that question, or are still asking that question, this post is for you.

Here’s three ways you can start serving, right now.

1. Visit your pastor – or call a pastor at your church. Tell them you want to serve but you don’t know how to start. They’ll be able to get you connected.

2. Visit your local homeless shelter - either call or just show up. There’s usually programs running at all times and you’ll likely be able to get plugged in almost immediately. Worst case you can talk to a director there and get on the schedule to help in the near future.

3. Visit your neighbor - if you strike out at #1 and #2 above, simply go next door to your neighbor, introduce yourself (if you don’t know them well enough for them to know you onsite) and let them know you’re willing to help get things done. Take the trash to the curb? Mow? Paint? Doesn’t matter. Just be hands and feet.

It’s not hard to get plugged in, you just have to take that first step. You can do it!

If you have more questions, let me know in the comments.

Are you a new Christian asking, “what’s next? Now that I’ve chosen to follow Jesus, what do I do now?”

Or, maybe you’ve been a Christian for a long time but you’ve been luke warm or cold in your faith, but you’re ready to make a move, and to start living for Christ. The question, “what’s next,” would apply to you, too.

My first encouragement to you would be, connect with one of the pastors at your church. Ask them what’s next in your spiritual walk.

Then again, maybe you’re asking “what’s next” and want info now. WhatsNextKit.tv can help.

WhatsNextKit.tv is a great website that will give you an idea of what’s next in this new life of following Jesus. You can even get a free Bible plus info on going deeper, serving, and getting help.

Don’t wait – check out WhatsNextKit.tv today.