Step Up

step up

 

 

 

 

Do you step up? When there is a need, are you there to lend a hand? Do you sit back and wait for someone else to handle it? Communities, churches and various organizations rely on people who are willing to step up and make a difference.

I always used to be the person who would step up. Recently, that has not been the case. A new job and an increase in a variety of other commitments has left me working hard, but not helping out. For almost two years now, my church community has not had any help from me. At first, it felt strange but I knew I needed to step back. However, saying “no” has become incredibly easy. So easy, I think others have forgotten they can even ask.

Lately, God has been nudging me. It’s time to step up again. My church community is family to me, so I figured someone would ask if they needed my help. Time went by. God kept nudging. I kept waiting.

Why was I waiting to be asked? Partly, I really didn’t know where I was needed most. Where would my gifts be best used? Without an answer, I continued to wait. In the meantime, our church has been under a tremendous amount of change. Our worship director was called to the pastorate and went to serve as pastor of a church. Our youth director was called into a new kind of ministry outside of our church. And, our church is finally in a position to hire a children’s ministry director. These are all great things. It is awesome to watch family follow where God is calling them.

As all of this was happening, I assumed the everything was being handled. I stopped into the church office last week to make the final payment for my son’s mission trip. The staff informed me that the Staff Parish committee, who handles hiring, job descriptions etc, needed help. There were not enough people to handle all that needed to be done. God nudged again. This time I knew what I was supposed to do. Instead of waiting to be asked, I volunteered. I stepped up.

The team was meeting the following night. When I arrived, the team was thrilled to see two new recruits, myself and another church family member. I left a couple of “to dos” and much to my surprise, invigorated. I didn’t expect that another new commitment and more time taken from my calendar to feel good. I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.”

Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove. (James 2:8 MSG).

Faith and works do fit together hand in glove. How could I have forgotten that? Have you forgotten it? Are you waiting on the sidelines waiting for someone to ask for your help? Do you think there is not enough time in your calendar? Don’t miss out on the gift of putting faith and works together. Are you with me? Share your story here. Let’s inspire each other.

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