When Peter and John finished the job they
were sent to do in Samaria, they returned to Jerusalem -- back to doing what
they were doing before they were called to Samaria. This is a really difficult
area for most of us -- Are we called to lead or called to support? Many times
God calls us away from our individual ministry area to serve somewhere else. The
question: Is it permanent or temporary, an assignment or a new
career?Too often we treat everything the same way -- as if every call to
service requires the commitment of a career change -- and we prepare
accordingly. We agonize over the decision; consider all the implications and
future responsibilities; think of the impact on our free time; etc. When in
reality God only has called us to a temporary assignment. We lose the joy of
service because we get lost in the stress of over-preparation.
When was the last time you were asked to serve? What was your answer? Did you
agonize over the decision or did you willingly offer a helping hand? We
certainly have to know and understand our individual giftedness, but many times
we discover those same or hidden gifts when we get involved. Have you been
standing on the sidelines too long? How will you answer your next call to
service?
