Now Serving: The Way God Really Wants You to Serve
“Are you sure?”
The leaders of the hospitality team at the church looked at me, confused as to why I was not excitedly accepting their offer. I stood there with my arms folded defensively, yet trying to hear them out.
“What do you mean? Yes, of course! We think you would be a great front door greeter”
I had to disagree. I am a friendly person, but I didn’t think I was a good representation of the church. I mean, I have been attending for 6 months, but let’s be honest, I wasn’t the star “Christian” pupil. I was just starting to take my walk with God seriously, and let’s just say there were behaviors
I look at them empathically. I didn’t want to let them down. I couldn’t help but feel like they were mistaking me for someone else or that they didn’t really know me.
“I don’t really think so, guys. I really like attending and getting to know you guys,” I started as I rubbed my arm and glanced around the room, avoiding eye contact. I have no idea what they see in me, but surely, they are mistaken.
“Let me think about it. I will let you know soon.” I smiled.
The pastor’s daughter hugged me.
“Of course, Rochelle. Take all the time you need.”
I went to my car and sat in the front seat, thinking, “Why is it so hard for me to just say yes? It’s literally just saying hi to people.”
I wish someone had told me all those years ago that everything I thought disqualified me from being a greeter is exactly why I should be one. God made me in a way that I loved people, enjoyed having fun with others, and wanted to make sure their first impression was the best. Why wouldn’t I be a greeter or speaker?
There tends to be a stigma that you need to be “Saved and Perfect” to be able to serve. These imaginary qualifications that you need to fit to serve the body of Christ couldn’t be further from the truth. Your identity in Christ is all you need to start your Godly assignment.
His Word talks about our identities constantly. He says we are new creations in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17); we are a royal priesthood, His own possession (1 Peter 2:9). The Bible has pages of love letters of how much He loves us and who He created us to be. When you know who you are, you can walk with confidence, without grasping at other ideas or expectations, believing that is who you are. The freedom that comes with knowing your identity in Christ is frees you up to serve the Lord willingly.
The line between knowing who you are in Christ and what you think God wants you to be gets blurry, especially when you try to serve thinking you will stumble upon your identity along the way. You will start pushing yourself into rooms God didn’t call you to, or you will say no to the serving opportunity you were created to do. You might think your personality is fit for the stage when God created your heart to pray and intercede for others. There is no department or area that you can serve in that will ever reveal your identity to you better than Jesus can.
Knowing this, you can serve not from a place of fulfillment, but from a place of giving and gifting your abilities to make your body of the church move and function. Corinthians talks about all of us each being a body part in the body of Christ, created for a specific purpose for Christ. We are all uniquely reflecting parts of Jesus to the world.
“Good morning! Welcome.” I said as I smiled at people as they made their way into the church. I held the door open for a large group of couples as they entered the door. I met a handsome man as he walked through the door one morning, and almost 10 years later, we are still together.
I couldn’t tell you why I said yes, but I did. For four years, I welcomed people through those front doors. I shook hands, laughed, and even danced with some people as they entered church on those bright and early Sunday mornings. I knew that doing this, I would do it the best way I knew how, and that meant being myself. I went on to even volunteer in other areas like teaching the youth and young adults and women’s groups, all areas I had no experience in and felt unqualified for, yet with a shoulder shrug and a push from God, I said yes. Greeting and public speaking were opportunities for me to reflect the kindness and love of Jesus.
I didn’t strive for these opportunities; God opened the door, and I simply walked in. I knew it was more important to be where God wanted me to be than where I thought I would belong, struggling to squeeze myself to fit in. It was never about title or position; it was all about walking in the design God created me. Serving is an opportunity to reflect how God designed you for other believers and non-believers to see themselves in the Body of Christ.
So, take some time to sit with the Lord. Let Him whisper to you how wonderful He created you. Let Him show you where He wants you to serve His body. Reflect God the best and only way you know how, by being who He created you to be.
If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.