As Christians we are called to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), to spread the “Good News” as missionaries throughout the world. Whether you are helping those in your own neighborhood or have traveled across the ocean to spread the Gospel, serving God is an experience that always brings you closer to Him. Where are you serving God in your life? Is it in church? Maybe in the workplace? Wherever it is, you can know that your service for the kingdom has probably impacted more lives than you think! Here are 10 unique ways that you can serve God!
Your Own Family
This should be your biggest focus in life as far as service. Your kids look up to you mom and dad. They see what you do. They mimic what you do. If you are setting bad examples, your kids will probably take some of those into their own families someday. If you want your kids to be like Jesus, you have to be Jesus to them. “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19) Spend time in the Word with your children. Pray with them. Sing praises to God with them. You only have a very short time with them before they leave the nest, so make your life with them have eternal value! Also, you must love your spouse. Really, love on them like tomorrow isn’t going to happen. Listen to their needs. Pray for them and with them. Talk about everything under the sun with them. Make them feel like they are the only person that you want to grow old with.
Anticipation
One of the most blessed ways you can serve is to pray for God to give you opportunities to serve. Those unexpected circumstances will shine His glory all over! These opportunities are endless! Some examples of things that might come your way are: a woman has a flat tire on the side of the road, paying for the food for the people behind you at the drive-thru window, or an unexpected, deep conversation with an unbeliever. If you pray for opportunities to serve, God will definitely give them to you, so keep your eyes open and serve whenever you can!
Serve Your Pastors
My brothers and sisters, our pastors do so much for the church and many are not paid nearly enough for all that they do. We all can step up and serve them! Ask them over for dinner and game night. Call them on the phone and see how they are doing. Ask them if they need prayer. Offer to take burdens off of them so they can focus on other things. Pastors are not supposed to be the hands and feet of the church. The church is supposed to be the hands and feet of the church. If you allow your pastor to make disciples out of the congregation, your church will thrive beyond your wildest imagination. So, start groups at your church that can take some of the burdens off of your pastors. Have an “on-call” group to visit those who unexpectedly go to the hospital. If your head pastor leads the congregation in worship because you can’t afford a music minister, offer to fill that position for free. Our pastors need us more than they ever say. So, I’m saying it now, Serve God by supporting your church pastors!
Soup Kitchens/Food Shelters
Many people have little to no income and rely on help from the community. You can be the hands and feet of Jesus to them by serving them at a local kitchen or shelter. When you serve them their food, give them spiritual food too! Tell them Jesus loves them. Tell them that He is “the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Let your joy overflow from you as you show them love and support.
Prayer Warrior
“No one is a firmer believer in the power of prayer than the devil; not that he practices it, but he suffers from it.”—Guy H. KingThere is serious power in prayer! Become a prayer warrior! Be intentional and pray for specific people with specific needs. Pray for God’s will to be done in their situation. Just as the Holy Spirit intercedes for us on our behalf when we don’t know what to pray (Romans 8:26), we can intercede on others’ behalf when they are not praying, or don’t know what to pray. God always hears the prayers of those who are faithful, so take some time and pray for others in their afflictions.
Be A Greater
Being a greeter at the front door of the church is a job that most think of as not important. However, to the man or woman who walks into your church for the first time, it is a huge deal. We have the privilege of showing our joy for Jesus right at the front door. Some people leave everlasting marks on a person just by the way they greet them. I remember how welcoming my church was the first time I stepped one foot in it. The greeter made me feel like I was part of the church family by the way they smiled and welcomed me in with a gentle and warm spirit. Sometimes it’s the greeter who makes all of the difference!
Adoption
Adoption is one of the most amazing things to me. So many children long for a mommy and a daddy. Can you imagine being orphaned? Can you imagine the loneliness and despair that it brings? All orphaned children wonder “am I going to get a mommy and daddy next?” All of God’s children are adopted into His family. “In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:4b-5a) God specifically chose you and me to be His sons and daughters. If you have the means, please consider adoption. Choose a child to love as your own son or daughter, just as God chose you!
Charity
There are many wonderful organizations out there that need your money/items to provide the necessities to the surrounding community. Our local radio station does a “shoe-drive” each year. This year all of the brand new shoes collected were able to give hundreds of kids a simple item that they could not afford. Sometimes it’s the simple things that do the most. Can you imagine life without shoes? These kids lived that life. They will never forget the kindness shown to them. That is what charity is all about! Showing kindness and love through Jesus to the people in need!
Be A Mentor
Being a mentor to someone younger than you is a very rewarding experience for you both. I hang out with one man in particular around once or twice a month to see how he is doing and to pray with him. We have become very good friends because of this and I know that it was only through mentorship that this happened. He looked up to me and I said “let’s do this!” Is there someone in your life who looks up to you? Ask them to hang out. Spend time talking and walking with them through their struggles. Pray with them. Watch them grow stronger in their walk each day. You will also grow stronger through this. You may be the only one that this person will confide in. Don’t miss the chance on serving God through mentorship!
Use Your Gifts
God has blessed us all with gifts and talents. Use them for the kingdom! Are you good with construction? Help with the things that need fixed in the church! Offer to fix things in peoples’ homes for free! Can you play an instrument or sing? Join the praise team! Do you like to act? Join the drama team! Do you enjoy public speaking? Become a preacher or a teacher! God has given you talents for a reason. You can impact the church and the community greatly through your service!
Conclusion
Serving God is an amazing experience! There are so many more ways than what I have written to serve our Lord. Take some time and think about where you can serve if you aren’t already serving for the kingdom. God bless you as you live a life worthy of the calling!
About the Author
Derek Hill is a father of two beautiful children. He plays guitar for the worship team at his church. Listening or playing music is one of Derek's favorite things to do. He has been in the church his whole life. His favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:31—"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
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