An article that impacted me greatly in High School was called Tyranny of the Urgent. The premise of the essay is simply a nugget of wisdom told to Charles Hummel by a cotton mill manager who said, "Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important."
This tendency in our nature is what necessitates the celebration of Big Serve at our church this weekend. The example given in scripture is of a church (people not a building) who have a life changing encounter with Jesus Christ and by the empowering of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) they become His witnesses EVERYWHERE.
Somewhere, somehow, we have suffered a disconnect. We have invited Jesus into our lives like inviting a guest into our home. We tell him that he can have access to certain areas, but only those that fit our schedule. As someone said to me today, "I find myself saying that I will get involved and serve someday, but the years pass and that day never comes..."
If we do not resolve to seize the day and make the most of the time and resources that we are given, we risk the misguided investment of our lives in things that are not eternal. Taking time to change the oil for a military spouse whose husband is deployed, washing the feet of runners from around the world, or ministering to the health needs of our neighbors are all ways that we serve with the goal of sharing the Good News of Christ.
This is why we get so excited about Big Serve. The body of Christ is shining the glory of God through our actions and deeds in ways that are unparalleled. The salt is out of the salt shaker. The little light is no longer hidden under a bushel. The Word is once again becoming flesh and blood and moving into the neighborhood.
As we prepare to serve, don't forget:
Pray like crazy! We need to cry out to God for a mighty movement of His Spirit through our people.
Remember the goal! Acts of kindness are in keeping with the character of Christ, but the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) calls us to make disciples, baptize, and teach as well.
Don't let it die! The goal of Big Serve is to change our DNA by making service a regular part of who we are and what we do. What should life after Big Serve look like?
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