Romans 12:1-2; 4-8; Ephesians 4:11-13
If these two Scriptures were really believed and followed by the church, it would result in a revolution of thought and action that would capture the world’s attention. What the Apostle Paul is doing in these two passages is abolishing the so-called distinction between “clergy and laity.” It implies that every believer is a priest and a minister and that the true worship of God involves every person, every day, and in every way.
First, we’re supposed to have our minds transformed. This is God’s work, not ours. We can submit ourselves to God, but it’s God alone who does the transforming. Then with this renewing of the mind and heart comes the ability to stand against everything that’s against the will of God — no longer to be “culture sponges,” mindlessly soaking up all the values of the world around us, but to be witnesses to God’s values and purposes.
Once that transaction is completed, then we can see ourselves in the right light. We need to understand that we’re part of the body of Christ, with divinely given gifts for the service of God. They may be prophecy, service, teaching, encouraging, contributing, leading, mercy, or something else, or even perhaps all of these. The point is that what God gives us is for his glory and for the ministry of the church.
How do we find that special ministry to which we’re called? One thing we can do is just look around. What do you see? What need is next door? Many of the greatest and most successful works were those that simply recognized a practical need and tried to meet it: the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, World Vision, and hundreds of others.
Generally, we’re called to go beyond ourselves, to do the unlikely, to go the extra mile, all with the help and guidance of God. We’re called to take risks and to attempt the impossible in God’s name and by his power. It’s been said that if you want to see trains, then you need to stand by the tracks. So if we want to see miracles in ministry, then we need to climb out of our recliners and go where these miracles take place, on the front lines of the will of God.
So whether you’re young or old, you can give yourself away in service to God and others, not merely spending your years looking for more and more comfort and security. We have only a limited number of days on this earth anyway, so what are we saving ourselves for?
Jesus taught that if we try to fulfill ourselves on our own steam and in our own way, then we’ll be sadly disillusioned and profoundly disappointed. But if we freely give our lives away to him in his service, then we’ll find the very most desired things we were looking for in the first place. There’s the good news.
Now what’s the response that Paul wants to see in us? Just ask yourself this question: what’s that dream you’ve been dreaming, perhaps for your whole life? Is it reasonable? Is it good? Is it useful and helpful for others? Then maybe that’s exactly what you’re on this earth for. Submit your dream and your gifts to God for inspection and for transformation, then step out boldly and try something. See if God will bless it and make something out of it. Unless you try, you’ll never know.
