By sis Mary Ann
Mid this year, twenty-seven faithful members of Lim Ah Pin Church of Christ spearheaded the new work here at Eastside. Each of them stepped up and filled various ministries.
Those who have Bible knowledge and love to share the Word of God take turns to give sermons and teach visitors. Those who are musically-inclined lead congregational singing. Those who are good with kids take up the children’s ministry. Those who are amicable welcome visitors and make them feel comfortable. Those who can cook take charge of fellowship events such as Agape Lunch. Those who have organising skills and love order and cleanliness maintain the upkeep of the church building. Those who can deal with numbers take responsibility for church finance. Those who are digitally savvy run social media accounts of the church to further reach out to the community.
Everyone wants to make things work! We tap on our strengths and talents. We strive... we excel... we accomplish! But amidst the buzz, we sometimes FORGET. We just DO and forget the WHO. If we look deeper into our hearts for the motive of our works, may we not find ourselves guilty of just going through the motions or equating our works as a performance to gain acceptance and praises of men.
Instead, may we be like John who said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30). The point is that everything we do has to always be about Jesus! He is the Who in all that we Do. At the same time, we need to always be thankful for one another. The fact that we each have a preference for a particular area of God’s work also suggests that there may be some areas we are more uncomfortable with or not prepared to serve in yet. Praise be to God that He has provided brethren to support one another in different areas so that the operational needs of the church are met.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1Pe 4: 10-11)
Here’s a powerful hymn that reminds us to offer ourselves to Him without reservation:
Would You Be Poured Out Like Wine
Would you be poured out like wine upon the altar for Me?
Would you be broken like bread to feed the hungry?
Would you be so one with me that I may do just as I will?
Would you be light and life and love, My word fulfil?
Yes, I’ll be poured out like wine upon the altar for You.
Yes, I’ll be broken like bread to feed the hungry.
Yes, I’ll be so one with You that You may do just as You will.
Yes, I’ll be light and life and love,
Your word fulfil.
We then must empty our cups of our own pride, our own self-righteousness, and our own wisdom. Only then it can be filled with God’ grace, God’s righteousness and God’s wisdom. If we empty our cups, He will fill them and we can truly make the same claim as the psalmist in Psalm 23.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalms 23:5