May 16th, 2008
Adverbs
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:6-8
Wednesday night was the Awana Closing Program at our church. As I prepared, I gratefully wrote Thank You notes to all the leaders, conscientiously ordered the awards and indulgently ordered music CD’s for all the children as a gift. Prayerfully, I put together bags for all the children including a bit of candy (as an incentive to look in the bag), a brochure about the church and an information card inviting the children to be involved in VBS and other events this summer. As I created a DVD setting pictures of the children we had taken throughout the year to 2 different songs, one being Mark Harris’ song Find Your Wings, I sadly contemplated the closing of the year and earnestly prayed for these children who God had placed in our program this year.
Yes, that was all true. Obviously, however, I wrote it a bit “stilty” to make a point. Did you notice all those adverbs? Gratefully. Conscientiously. Indulgently. Prayerfully. Sadly. Earnestly. Those were all descriptions of my attitudes and actions as I prepared for the closing program. Did I mention that a few adverbs in the Bible caught my attention this morning? Look at Romans 12:6-8…
These verses do not name all the gifts or talents God gives. Paul just quickly noted some with the primary intent of encouraging each person to be aware of what God has given to you. Some can teach, some can serve, some can show mercy…Use what you have for God. But did you notice the adverbs?
Generously. Diligently. Cheerfully. Again, these are not all the adverbs you could use to describe how one should serve. However, it’s a humbling start. Are you aware of how God has gifted you? Are you using those gifts within the church generously, diligently and cheerfully?
Many people of our church impress me with their servant attitude, and last Sunday I came face to face with it again. One woman comes in every Saturday and spends almost all morning (I’m pretty sure it is 3-4 hours at least) cleaning the church. Does she get paid? No. Does she have another job? Yes – she works full time and has an elementary child still at home. She impresses me. Her husband has been working MANY hours on the construction of the church’s front steps. Does he have a full time job? Yes. However, he spends many hours there after work and on Saturdays. As I thanked him last Sunday he said, “Well, I figure this is something God has given me the ability to do. The least I can do is give back to him by doing this cheerfully.” What an attitude. What an adverb.
Thank you to all who do give cheerfully, diligently, and generously at the church. As the previous verses in Romans chapter 12 say, we are a body. We need each other, and we need to serve him together. Thank you.