The Way God Prepared Us to Serve Him

In January 2016, God encouraged me to write articles for the weekly church bulletin. I thought, "That's good idea!" Since childhood, I longed to serve God but didn't know what I could do. As I have written in my devotional, I don’t have a good singing voice and I am not able to play music. I didn’t think I would be a good usher, and I didn’t have the ability to interpret the sermon for others. Writing articles for weekly church bulletins seems to be the best way for me to serve God.

Starting in January, I sent two articles to the church editor each month. But by the end of February, none of them were published. Then I began to think, Is this really the way God prepared for me to serve? Amidst my doubts, I seemed to feel God say: "Lina, how easily you give up!" Not long after that, my article was published on March 27, 2016. After that, other articles that I have sent were also published regularly. Some friends told me that they were blessed as they read them. They were blessed, and so was I. At that time too, I realized that writing articles for the weekly church bulletins really was the way God prepared me to serve. I love writing, and I thank God for the opportunity to serve through writing. Even today, I keep writing articles.

Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV). To me, “good works” means the way God wants us to serve. From that verse we also know that for each of us, God has prepared the way in advance. Before the longing  to serve God has appeared in our hearts, God has prepared the right service for us.

Today, some of us may have already been in service, but some may still be looking for the kind service God has called us to. When we really long to serve God but don’t know what we could do, we can ask God in prayer: “God, show me the way!” When we have a desire to serve God, we can know that God has an even stronger desire to use our lives for God's plan and glory. God may call us to serve inside the church, but God may also give us the part of ministry outside the church such as caring for orphans, elderly people, widows, or others in need. Whatever service God provides, it will certainly be good for us and pleasing to God.