As a woman who has been a part of churches most of my life, I have spent a great deal of time over the last decade asking God, “What is church supposed to look like?” “What am I missing?”
I can’t seem to dig deep enough to perform in any capacity within the four walls.
What once felt “right” hasn’t felt right for a very long time. In a nutshell, my stage presence has gone from the girl spinning plates center stage— to zero stage presence.
Thank goodness.
Being raised under a roof where the unspoken mantra was “those who don’t work don’t eat,” it has been difficult trying to acclimate into church without wearing my performance garb. It’s like a chocoholic who finally reaches the breaking point of no longer being able to tolerate even the sight of chocolate. My performance addiction has led me to seeking God like never before for answers on how to BE the body of Christ—His church.
Yesterday I read about Jesus washing His disciple’s feet. I’ve read this scripture in John dozens of times (Jn. 13:12-17). When He finished washing their feet He asked them, “Do you understand what I have done for you?”
He continues, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (vs. 13-17)
We are reminded in Matthew 20:28, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” And in Phil 2:6-7 we read: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.”
In a prophecy spoken through the prophet Isaiah, God shares both the identity and the mission of His Son, “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.” (Mt. 12:18)
Performance is not now, nor has it ever been, what our Father is asking from us. Neither within or outside of the church walls. Instead, He is asking us to follow the example of Jesus by living a life poured out in service to Him.
When Saul gets knocked to the ground on the road to Damascus the Lord says to him, “Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant…” (Acts 26:16)
Interesting to note in later scriptures how Paul describes himself when addressing different audiences, “I, Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 1:1) Paul understood something very counter-cultural even in his day—there is no greater honor than to be considered a servant of Christ.
Paul’s desire to live as a servant of Christ is evident not only in word but in how he lived his life no longer for himself but for Christ: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10)
Being a healthy, functioning servant within the walls of a church does not require us to perform. We are not trying to please men. Instead, we are called to serve God and to serve one another with a heart of humility in lieu of a to-do list of impressive performances.
With this new revelation permeating my own heart; my desire to serve both within the church as well as in my community has never been greater. We don’t need to dig deep within our own selves to find motivation—we just need to open the Word and follow the example of Christ.
Therefore, as servants of Christ: “Now that we know these things we will be blessed if we do them!”
Stay the Course…
Sheila
