Unlocking the Doors

Would You Still Serve God if There Wasn’t a Heaven? November 2, 2009

The title of this blog is a question that more or less hit me in the face a couple of weeks ago. I have been digesting it, avoiding it, reciting it to myself, questioning it (questioning a question, interesting.), just basically all of the above. Think about it. If God was still everything He is now, but in the end when you die, you just stay in your grave, would you still serve Him on this Earth? Is Heaven a reward? Or an incentive? When this question came to me, I wanted to immediately say, “OF COURSE I WOULD STILL SERVE GOD!” But, I didn’t. I struggled with it, and still am struggling with it. I can honestly say that I love serving. I mean, my major is Human Services. But, who am I serving? Am I serving others for the simple fact that it brings joy to God, and brings joy to them as well? Or am I am serving God and others to feel good about myself, and to feel needed?

I have realized over the years that I took on the caretaker role in my family. The peacemaker, the one everyone comes to for resolving problems and frustrations with one another. I have been working on with the help of some wonderful counselors and friends to step away from this role. I have made alot of progress. The point is, since I had been the caretaker for so long, if I am not taking care of someone, I do not feel loved or needed. And that just messes me up, bad.

From the previous post about my mom and stepdad getting a divorce, over Fall break I actually had someone more or less put me in a corner and confronted me about their decision. This person asked me to talk to them and allow them to see what they were doing was wrong. This person also commented that I would have a big influence because they knew my mother looked up to me, spiritually. At first, I got really defensive because they put me in a corner, not cool. But, I took a deep breath, and told this person that I couldn’t do that. This decision did not involve me, it was their decision to make, not mine. I couldn’t smooth things over anymore, I couldn’t fix it. And I wasn’t going to try to. Well, the person got huffy, and asked me if I didn’t care that my family was falling apart. OF COURSE I CARE! I just know that there’s only so much I can do anymore, and getting between them is not it. ANYWAYS…back to the question.

* Credit to Scott Usleman and Tom Harding’s sermons for my next thought process.*
Jesus said, “Come follow me.” He didn’t say to come listen. This involves action, and serving Him shows God that you are indeed His! So many people pray for opportunities to serve, just go do it already! Since God is first in ALL things, serving Him should be your main priority, not how to get to Heaven. God does not call you to be safe. He calls you to be willing. When we base God on our circumstances, our faith in Him is not consistent. This may allow life to be random to you in the sense that you may not expect trials or valleys in your life. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) God gave us Jesus Christ, He is enough! If God does not answer any more of your prayers, you should still be content. Because He gave us JESUS! Jesus is the base of our faith, not our circumstances. I am not saying you should stop praying by any means. God wants us to pray to Him, He wants that communication with us. But, the point is you shouldn’t expect God to give you things because you think you deserve them. So, in conclusion, I would like to say that I am going to serve God with complete faith. Not to gain favor or a reward, but because of who HE is!!