how He wants us to serve

1 timothy 3--overseers and deacons.


this passage addresses the qualifications and the expectations that God puts for the servants of the church. i remember towards the end of my freshmen year when some of the leaders approached me asking if i wanted to become a leader for church,, i had the passion, no doubt, and the heart to serve but i didn't want to do it. i was very reluctant because the way i had served in the past turned me into a person i knew that God wasn't happy with and i was afraid this might repeat.. i told a friend this and he pointed me to this timothy passage. ever since, these have been my guidelines towards my attitude when it comes to serving. it's a list of characteristics- so simple and straightforward.. no question about it.. but sometimes, i feel like we try to twist these words. we're so caught up with what the world is doing that we, as servants of the church, want to serve and play with the world at the same time.

scripture clearly states to "be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money... manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect... ⁷He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap... worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons"

that, my friends, is the truth. this is how God wants us to serve,, it's not about how WE want to run things or what WE think is best.. it's all about God.