QUIETLY SERVING!
"But how are men to call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news'!" Romans 10:14-15

It has been said; "We are the only Christ that people will see!" "We are the only Bible that some will read!" "We represent the Christ, who is still in the world!" I read a little story some time ago; "A little girl was walking down the street holding onto her mother's hand. She tugged on her Mom's arm and said; Look, Look Mommy; there goes God!. Across the street she saw her Sunday School teacher walking down the street." Is that how others see you?

Up front people within the congregation are those who do things that are out in the open. "Boy, do we need those servants of the Lord. If they weren't doing it, we would have to do it!" Those behind the scenes are the ones that make things happen. "Boy, are we glad they are the ones doing it, because if they weren't, then we would have to do it!" Do you feel like that? I don't!

In the past, I don't think I ever did anything quietly because I was always out there recruiting everyone I could to help out. I was the organizer, the doer, the participator and sometimes just in the way; But I was there! Today, I even surprise myself because I know I don't have to be out in front, pushing all the buttons, and/or creating some sort of activity. I am now one of the old folks, but I don't want to be one of the ones that say; "Let the young people do it!" I still want to be a doer regardless of my age!

Have you ever wondered who keeps the lawns and flower beds manicured? Have you ever wondered who cleans the rest rooms? Have you ever wondered who continually makes the messes in the kitchen and somehow it is all cleaned up before Sunday? Have you ever wondered who prepares the communion and then cleans it up? Have you ever wondered if the worship team practices and if so, when? Have you ever wondered who arranges for Sunday School teachers and orders the material that is to be used? Have you ever wondered who is in charge of the sound system and replaces the light bulbs? There are so many things that go on behind the scenes that sometimes we wonder if the church has a genie who wiggles her nose and WALLA it's all up and running in order. The church should be a well oiled machine.

I have known many who quietly serve. They never seem to complain about things, they just do it if it needs to be done or if it needs to be fixed, they fix it. There are those who just always seem to be around when I stop by the church. There are many who go about the Lord's work and never seem to have any kind of fan fair. They like it that way! There are many who are type A and don't mind being up front but it doesn't mean that they can't do things without being noticed. It pleases God to watch His children at work and play.

It isn't just the preacher that considers the church his home away from home. The church building is our home away from home. God asks us to be good stewards, by caring for the building that is dedicated to the purpose of missions. By caring for the grounds as good stewards. We give of our tithes and offerings as good stewards so that the work of missions can go forward as prescribed in God's word. Church work is not busy work! It is God's mission!

"Now this I say; he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful give. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Is your Glory here, or in the hereafter? Jane Ann