Philippians 2:1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
On the surface, this admonition from Paul seems so simple, so beautiful. I agree that if put into practice by more people, our world would be a much better place. However, these verses from Philippians pose a spiritual challenge.
Paul writes, "being like-minded. . .and of one mind". If this were the case would we need over 40 Christian denominations? Would a church vote ever be less than unanamious? Is disagreement within the church body ever a positive thing?
"Not looking to our own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others." It is a challenge to know when to draw that line of "personal time" vs. "others' time". If taken literally, a Christian could spend every waking hour involved in a ministry of some sort- hospital visits, choir practice, preparing Bible study lessons, volunteering at VBS, on and on and on. A person has to be especially watchful of what I call service creep.
"Oh sure, I can help with crafts at VBS." "Yeah, I would be glad to be on the teaching rotation for 3rd graders." "Organize the youth blanket drive, I guess so." "Help with the youth choir, uh, I can't sing, but I can probably help out." All of a sudden, a simple one-week job to help make pipe-cleaner/cardboard Sea of Galiee fishing boats has turned to several year-long committments.
Spiritual discerment is so important when entering into Christian service. It is so easy to get on the treadmill of volunteerism. Saying, "No" to a good cause is difficult, but a ragged, tired, harried Christian is not very effective. Time has to be left for fun, family and rejuvenation.
Allow the Holy Spirit to direct you to the ministries you are supposed to support, then ask that same Holy Spirit to give you the strength and kind words to decline additional service opportunites that come your way.
But never become neglent in your prayers for service leadership from the Holy Spirit. You might be one of the 30-year-never-missed-a-class Sunday School teachers, or the Holy Spirit may choose to use you in many ministries over the years. Be open to His leading.
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