"I Want to Be Involved!"

A few weeks ago I was handing out notes to ladies in our congregation. The note was inviting the ladies to go in on a wedding gift for someone who used to live in Tipton and who worshipped with us during that time. Many ladies are new to our congregation, so I wasn't giving the notes to them. They wouldn't know the person, of course. But, one of the new ladies said something to me that really made me think. She said, "I may not know the person, but I want the note. I want to be involved."

Wow! It was like she smacked me on the face! Of course, she wouldn't have done that, and she didn't mean to make me feel bad at all. But, it really made me think. How many times do I/we fail to include others in something we may be doing because we think they wouldn't be interested or care to be involved in?

Becoming a Christian means being added to the Lord's church by God, but it is up to us as fellow-Christians (not just church leaders) to get the new people involved in the work of the church. Some people are out-going and will look for things to do themselves, but others will not. They may need someone to specifically give them a "job" or they may need someone to ask them about helping in a specific ministry. If they don't find a way to be involved, they may not feel a part, and eventually may drift away. Being a part is a lot more than just being involved. It's a sense of belonging. It's a feeling of being needed.

Another time someone else said something to me that also made me think. She said, "It's wrong for you to do everything and not give others the opportunity to help." Her advice was very straight-forward, but not meant to hurt me at all. She was just telling me what she had learned from her years of experience as a sister in Christ. I have to admit that sometimes I would rather just do things myself than to ask others to help. Why? Because sometimes in the past I've asked someone to do something, and then it hasn't gotten done. Sometimes it's because I've asked someone to help and they've told me no. No one likes rejection. But, sometimes it's because it takes more time for me to ask others to help than it would take for me to just do it myself. But, I still believe she gave me some good advice and I've tried be less independent and ask others for help, whether in church-related things or other areas (PTO, 4-H, school, etc.).

People want to feel a part. As Christians, we should be working together - all of us. We're all part of God's family and the family should work together to accomplish what God wants us to accomplish.

So, how can you encourage someone to be involved in the Lord's work this week? What are some ways you have helped someone get involved in the past? Do you struggle with the "I'll do it myself" attitude I do?

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17