Some points are shared for consideration among those who are asked to serve in worship. Many fail to realize that serving the Lord also means what some account as difficult: suppressing anger, not complaining, not continuing in fear, not lying. A fighter challenging Christian believers at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no further information) posted the following:
Question for Roman Catholics!?
I volunteer at Little Sisters of the Poor, and recently one of the sisters asked me to read in mass every month. The problem is, I get really high anxiety when I read in front of people. (It's not just old people I'm reading to, it's my friends too) so I really want to get out of doing this! What do I say without looking like a chicken? ??
Update : I was thinking about starting a miniature girl's choir for the girls who don't want to read. (They desperately need better music)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. (1st John 4: 10-19, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Asked to Carry the Cross? (07/25/2014); Good Intentions? (07/26/2014); Not A Matter Of Opinion? (04/24/2014); What Faith Makes Possible (04/25/2014); Bible and Spirit (04/26/2014); Unprofitable Servants? (01/19/2014); Should I Speak? (12/13/2013); Life Choices (12/14/2013); Chosen To Serve As Prophets (01/01/2013); Lawful Revenge? (01/02/2013)
Every believer experiences moments of hesitation and reluctance to participate in sacred activity that must be carried out in a public forum. This may result from personal weaknesses and flaws such as fear of incurring divine wrath, speech impediments (like Moses), shyness, or lack of conviction and uncertainty concerning the many doctrines and teachings one is expected to know. Nonetheless, each believer is to understand that their every opportunity to serve is also their opportunity to proclaim their gratitude, their love, and their respect to all divinity.
As with anything that demands we leave our “comfort zone,” new experience within the worship community also calls forth confession of need and intimate fellowship with Christ through prayer. This is the example we see in the Scriptures for all those appointed as apostles and witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. Despite their years of companionship, instruction, and preparation by the Lord, following their anointing at Pentecost, the entire community of faith importuned before GOD that the full body would receive holy boldness to act, speak and correctly submit themselves to the unseen power.
When asked to respond to a specific need for the congregation believers are to assume the request has come through operations of the Holy Spirit. The prophetic work they are to perform is intended to build up (we say, edify), comfort, and exhort (we say, encourage, urge on) the one who serves as well as the household of faith. More than change in ones confidence and poise, the benefit to the one who serves may appear as an increase of their divine content such as dutifulness, humility, insight, joy, longsuffering, love, righteousness, and truthfulness.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, The sharing of oneself for those who are born again may be understood as merely “growing pains.” What we are called to do must be seen in the light of the crown of thorns, and the Savior’s death upon the cross. That we endure or suffer unselfishly for his name and reputation gains for us a more certain place as joint heirs, sons and daughters of GOD, and those who will abide with Christ eternally.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to the measure of your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment