A woman at church raised her hand when the congregation was asked for volunteers to help a family move into their new home. The job entailed moving heavy furniture and boxes up and down stairs and I wondered how a woman with her serious health conditions could volunteer for such a difficult, physical job. She’s an older, single woman on a small income. I wondered if she might have chosen a better avenue for her service. I didn’t think about it again until the following Tuesday when my husband came home from helping with the move.

I think my mouth hung open when Kirt told me the story. The woman who had volunteered to help had picked up a man who was begging with a cardboard sign on the side of the highway. He joined the rest of the men and helped carry refrigerators, boxes of books and heavy oak furniture for hours. When they were finished, she paid him for his time and drove him back to his street corner.

Uncommon service

What woman in her right mind would pick up a man on the street—never mind one that is begging for money? How could she afford to pay him? How could she trust someone like that? Or more distressing still…what would you say on the fifteen minute ride into town? However, the Christian in me began to think of her service in a whole new dimension. She knew she wasn’t physically able to help when she volunteered yet she had raised her hand, not knowing at the time how she would be of service.

She did what few of us are fully capable of doing…she saw an opportunity to bless someone who needed help. She opened her life to someone who was a stranger and offered him a wage in return for his work. I began to be amazed at the quiet but tremendous service she had rendered for Christ.

There were only a handful of men there that day who witnessed what she did but I think she served Christ in a better way than I have seen in a very long time. There was no fanfare, no bulletin article. She did not shrink back in fear when the Holy Spirit nudged her to pick up the beggar. She didn’t shirk her duties with platitudes about her safety and the latest data on the crime in the city. She picked up a man who was in need, paid him for his work and in turn fulfilled a need in the church.

Finding your cup of water

Jesus said, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42 NIV) I know that the Lord was pleased with her service. It wasn’t public and it couldn’t have been easy but I’m certain she will be greatly rewarded in heaven. She risked when she could have stayed home. She followed the calling of Christ when she could have ignored it.

How can the rest of us learn to open our lives to this kind of service even when it’s scary, uncomfortable or unorthodox? I’m not advocating that we all employ beggars off the street (there is some validity in our fears there) but there are acts of service that all Christians can stretch to achieve. The stretch is possibly what brings about the greatest reward.

How do we prepare to serve in a way that takes us from our comfort zone?

1. Pray specifically for an opportunity to serve. Being ready is key when the chance comes your way.
2. Determine that your fears will not limit your service — whether they include public speaking, writing or even inviting someone into your home for a meal. Confess these to the Lord who promises that with just the faith of a mustard seed, you can move mountains! (Matthew 17:20)
3. Renew you mind everyday with positive thoughts about your abilities…tell yourself you are a competent worker in His Kingdom or that your worth is far above rubies. Write these on a sticky-note that you post on the mirror by your toothbrush.  When fear and earthly reason try to crowd out the Spirit’s quickening, give your fears and misgivings to God in prayer.
4. Raise you hand when God moves you to do so. It might just be a cup of cold water but you will not lose your reward!

You might not find yourself driving the beggar off the street to your next church work day but I hope you will find yourself raising your hand the next time an opportunity to serve comes your way. Will it be teaching a Bible class, volunteering to mentor the troubled teen from Church, or inviting downtrodden members of the community to a soup kitchen? The rewards will certainly excel the intrusive doubts that invade each of our minds when we embark on a service that extends past our comfort zones.

I love the attitude of Paul when he wrote to young Timothy, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” (1 Timothy 1:12 NIV) Paul had to have a great deal of strength to serve as an Apostle of Christ but he says that he was given strength, not that he possessed it in himself. God will give you the strength to stretch up and raise your hand when the moment of your appointment comes. Your service will yield a tremendous reward for the Kingdom and the rewards to your faith will be measurable throughout your life.