God is on the move. What is my role in His mission?
I am called to be faithful. What has He entrusted to my care?
My memory isn’t always as crisp as I would like it to be, so I don’t truly recollect all the details of the beginning of my journey to serve with Classical Conversations in Canada, but what I can rely on is the witness of my husband and my friend. They remind me that, despite my doubt and misgivings, they had the confidence that I was equipped to take on a new role of serving and encouraged me to step forward. They had the eyes to see what I could not recognize or acknowledge and they spoke life into me in my circumstance. And so this disengaged mom with health challenges and a fear of inadequacy timidly agreed to embark on a journey into a world of service.
The Rewards of Service
I remember being ecstatic at the end of a long day in community. My cup was filled up and overflowing with blessings after an exhausting but invigorating day of tutoring and I would call to update my husband on the highlights. The richness of fellowship within community is as marrow; our digital age culture is starved for incarnate connection.
As I have increased in my own knowledge and enlarged my capacity, I have rediscovered past passions and delved into uncharted territories previously undiscovered. His glorious riches have blessed me abundantly. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over—into my life and beyond. Into my family’s life and the lives of others. Into my community’s lives and pouring into those whose paths intersect mine in this journey of life.
Luke 12:48 speaks of the wise and faithful servant, managing the resources entrusted to him with great diligence and selflessness.
The fruit of service demonstrates itself in my life through the refining work that the Good Shepherd is accomplishing in and through me for His purposes and glory.
Refinement
I have the great privilege of partnering with our God and an incredible team of believers in this work. Firstly, He has granted us the honour of raising our children to walk confidently with Him. Through this homeschooling opportunity, we are entrusted with refinement—sanctification for each of us as we journey through our days.
Purpose
And then, in serving the greater community, He reveals to me glimpses into the Kingdom work He is accomplishing—through the testimonies of other leaders, through the encounters with other homeschooling mamas, through the conversations with others in our country—be they co-workers, store clerks, politicians, or neighbours. What an incredible opportunity—that He would choose to use this cracked-vessel for His purposes humbles and astounds me!
Hope
To see families being strengthened in who they are in Christ. To see children thrilled in community. To see teens being gently shepherded in their most holy faith as they wrestle with truth. To witness others equipped to winsomely and persuasively speak into the lives of others. To know that the legacy of our Saviour and His gift of salvation will remain on this orb beyond our last breath, by His grace.
This is the hope that inspires me.
The Qualities that Enable Effective Service
As my roles have shifted over the years and my hats have changed and morphed, there are some constants that have remained. These are the qualities that I found served me well in serving others:
Adaptability
It has been most helpful to remind myself to be flexible—to easily bend in changing circumstances and adapt to the shifts or sudden changes. Holding loosely and remaining sensitive to His leading and guiding ensures that I am not seeking my own agenda. Remaining adaptable is another helpful quality that determines that I will continue to be able to roll-with-the-(unexpected)-punches.
Just as our GPS devices are able to ‘recalibrate’, we are blessed (and a blessing) when we also can adjust our expectations and continue on, sensitive to the leading of the Spirit.
Teachability
Being teachable is part of the package, isn’t it? As we desire to redeem our own education alongside our children, we model being humble learners ourselves.
What better gift can we give our kids but the example of desiring to learn differently and grow in our capacity? Through all these things, we can choose to demonstrate perseverance—to keep on keeping on even when there are disappointments, missed connections, moves, unmet expectations.
Prayerfulness and Steadfastness
Prayerfully choose your mentor(s) and confidant(s)—by His grace and for His glory, these saints will continue to faithfully uphold you in prayer and encourage you to press on. Choose joy. The journey is a relay, not a race. Stay on the path. Even when others bail. He who has called you is faithful; there is good work He is accomplishing in His time and for His glory. (Galatians 6:9)
The Price of Service
“Jesus is not the example of a balanced life . . . but He is the example of a focused life.” —Pastor Glen Nudd
This comment struck me on Sunday. It is such an assault to our society’s standard. I have been ruminating on this truth and reflecting on how this demonstrates itself in my own life.
And this faithful walk on the path before me has born much fruit. Showing up when I have committed yields opportunities to speak blessing into lives or be blessed through an encounter orchestrated by our Heavenly Father. Persisting through the adversity brings satisfaction and grows endurance. Consistency to remain faithful with what he has entrusted will bear much fruit in His timing, for His purposes, and for His glory.
What will our response be when the Master returns and desires to settle our account? We are entrusted with talents for the days we walk this globe. What are those talents in your hands today? Where do your talents lie? Are you about your Father’s business?
God is on the move. What is your role in His mission?
You are called to be faithful. What has He entrusted to your care?
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