“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy
and empty deception, according to the tradition of men,
according to the elementary principles of the world, rather
than according to Christ.”
Colossians 2:8
When being involved in a ministry or some kind of service in church,
after doing it for a while you must be careful not to get lost in the
purpose. After coming and doing something consistently for months,
I started dreading going and serving. I did not want to take my time
out and put my effort into these tasks. They became a burden. Later
as I was driving to church, God spoke to my heart; He asked why I
was doing this. And instinctively, I said, “I’m doing this for you Lord!”
and so He asked, “Then why are you so miserable?” My heart sank.
These tasks became a tradition; they were mundane and seemed so
unnecessary and unwanted.
But I was reminded of my purpose later in Colossians,
“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the
perfect bond of unity.”(2:14).
The only reason I agreed and took hold of these different ministries
and put time and effort into them, was because of God’s great love
for me. He put down everything on the cross, and didn’t even spare
His own life for me. That’s why we serve! God’s love for you and me
stirred compassion and that’s why He gave up His one and only Son,
and that same love is bonded in us, it stirs our hearts to want to
give, and serve. Don’t forget why your doing this, don’t get lost; why
your singing, preaching, stacking chairs, leading cell groups, making
coffee, setting up audio, making announcements, staying late,
coming early. Don’t forget the purpose, don’t get lost in tradition.
Rather, put on love and do all things in love.
– S C C Y O U T H M E M B E R –
