Sacrificing or Serving

Therefore brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Yesterday we had the distinct pleasure of serving. Yes, it was a pleasure, yes we did it with joy (a little less at the times when it rained). We offered ourselves up to be the hands of God to others. We attend a church that decided to close the church (the building) for the day, and go out into our community to serve. It was labeled "go- 09 Community Impact Day" We took the church outside the walls of the building, and took it to the lives of those that "we served. We stepped out of the pattern of the world, and transformed our minds into service. It makes you feel absolutely amazing. We think of serving as a 'chore' or something not pleasurable. Yet, when we step out of our comfort zones (out of our normal Sunday go to church routine) and step into the rolls of 'being the church' it changes your mindset.

I do not typically put pictures in the devotionals, but I want to give you an idea of how many were involved.

Here is our group minus three. I am taking the picture, and two of our group went to love on another family member when we were finished. Here we are... hot , sweaty, and wet. After we washed cars, swept them, washed the windows and cleaned the seats for our parents that are Senior citizens, or other Senior citizens that we know.

The back of the shirts say:

"The Church Has Left The Building"

And that is just what we did. There were probably between 1500-2000 people

within this community serving. Some worked at schools, some did construction repairs, some did yard work and the list goes on...

Is this what it means to offer ourselves as living sacrifices? Well, yes in some ways I believe it is truly that. We worked diligently, we worked together for one purpose. To be servants of the Most High God. Were we tired? You bet? Did we worry when the skies were dark with rain?

ABSOLUTELY! See the puddles?

But, after we began and really got into what we were doing, the skies began to clear. We were able to complete six cars, and sweep and clean the inside on another. Everyone was working unto the Lord.

I believe that as we did our jobs, that it was something that pleased God. It transformed our thoughts, it renewed our hearts toward God and to people.

What a privilege it is to serve!

Lord, help us to look forward to serving You. No matter how we do it. Help us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, and to represent You to others! Amen

Below: A job done as unto the Lord!

Becki Reiser