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WORKING IN THE HOUSE OF GOD (2)

(Continuing from where we stopped. See previous post here)

Serving Effectively

It is generally true that whatever can be done can be done better; therefore everyone rendering whatever service in the Church must seek for ways to do his/her job more efficiently and effectively. Many a times, workers are encumbered by their work. They spend too much time on a simple task, or are seen fixing problems they could have prevented by proper planning. Some very optimistic workers do not make contingency plans should anything go wrong. Some are yet to learn the art of delegation.
Scripture teaches that there are differences of administrations (Gk: diakonia, meaning Service; 1Cor. 12:5 (KJV)). In other words, there are different ways of serving. Bringing it home, whatever service you render in the house of GOD, there is a right way to do it; and you must learn it to be effective in ministry. It is our Lord Jesus Christ who shows us the way to do our work effectively. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith! (Heb.12:2)” Failure to learn from the Master will lead to encumbrances and frustrations in service. Jesus said: “Learn from Me… and you will find rest for your souls (Matt. 11:29 (EMTV))”.
Lest the above admonition becomes misunderstood, misapplied or overly spiritualized, you need to note that learning from Jesus usually do not happen by way of spiritual experiences as you would expect. Actually you are required to study hard about your ministry. The answer to your numerous prayers for divine enabling lies largely in your willingness to study. Jesus Himself learnt by studying! When you hear Jesus say “Have you not read?” Or “It is written…”, it means that He had read it. And that was why He could respond to the Sadducees “You do err, not knowing the scriptures…” (Matt. 22:29 (KJV)) At a time, He was found in the temple “sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46 (KJV))”
How do you fare in this? If Jesus learnt by studying, do not think you can dodge this process. “Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God… Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (Isaiah 38:8 (KJV); 2Tim. 2:15 (MKJV); 1Tim. 4:13,15 (KJV))
So, what do you do in the house of GOD? How much knowledgeable are you in it? How willing are you to learn? You see, there is no excuse for doing a bad job. Do you play an instrument? Practise to improve your skills. Do you lead a unit or a fellowship? Learn principles of effective leadership, team building and delegation. Do you usher? Learn something about manners of approach and crowd management. Do you address people regularly? Learn the art of public speaking and effective communication.
Do you set up the public address system? Learn something about sound engineering, management and control. Are you a secretary – general or financial? Learn technical communication and writing/book-keeping concepts; take advantage of technology to enhance your work. Are you in the welfare unit? Learn something about motivation, human psychology and temperaments. Do you sing? Learn how to exercise your voice to make it better. Do you lead the choir? Learn some rudiments of music.
Irrespective of what you do in the house of GOD, you can always “learn to do well.” If you do, you become “a workman that need not be ashamed.” You will do your work without being encumbered. Martha was encumbered because she had not then learnt how to serve the Lord. Hers was a problem of much serving; yours may be same or that of little serving. Note that by much serving, I do not mean having many things to do (as one may have the ability to do so); but not being able to do well all you are meant to do within the expected time, and deriving joy from it all the way.
To be continued…

(See the continuation of the article here)
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