December 12

Often during the month of December I find myself standing around thinking about all of the things I have to do. And that's good and all--coming up with a plan, making a list, etc...but I'm still not getting any of it done! I'm paralyzed by the amount of things I need to do that I don't get anything done! Ever feel that way?

After Jesus was crucified, the disciples and Jesus' followers were confused. They doubted. They were baffled and frankly, they too were paralyzed into inaction. I'm sure I would have been in the same position had I been there. It's easy to look back at them and think "What were you thinking? Jesus laid it all out for you during his years of ministry!"

They didn't have a complete understanding of Jesus' mission and his teachings or the fact that he had died, so they just sat around wondering what to do. It wasn't until Jesus came back and appeared to them that they had a fuller understanding of his plan. It was then that they were able to move into action. And when they did, they really moved.

The thing that is different for us, than it was for the disciples, is that we know the whole plan already--we have the whole Bible! Why, then, are we paralyzed? Why do we wonder what we're supposed to do? In Erwin McManus' book, Chasing Daylight, he talks about just doing something! Get up, do something for the Lord! He says to try doing something (as long as it's biblical) and if it's not the right thing, God will show you. I think there is a lot of wisdom in that. Instead of sitting back and thinking about all of the things we could be doing, get up and actually do it!

What category do you fall under--paralysis or "in action? (or maybe you fall in the "combat" zone of doing too much--this blog entry is not about you)

How can you move from paralysis to "in action" today? Don't wait! So many times we wait to start our New Year's goals until January 1. Don't wait--start today!

What will you do to prepare your heart to serve others? How will you allow God to open your mind to the opportunities that are out there?

What will it really take for you to get started? Asking a friend to do it with you? Prayer? I have to be honest with you, the phone probably isn't going to ring with someone on the other line saying "How would you like to serve your community today?" I wasted a lot of time waiting for that phone call. You've got to pick up the phone and call yourself.

Service Opportunities
1. Help at the local rescue mission this holiday season. Make a great memory with your family while serving others.
2. Help at your local church--most churches have lots of ways to get involved from teaching Sunday School to helping out in the bookstore, or seasonal projects such as toy drives or Christmas food baskets. There is always something for everyone to do--we are the body of Christ.
3. Donate your money. Things are usually tight in December. Find the joy in giving some away, even when it doesn't seem like you have much to give.
4. Keep your eyes open and be ready to jump at the opportunity. So many times I fall into the pity category-- "There's nothing for me to do". And then God opens my eyes to numerous ways I can serve. And sadly, sometimes he reveals all of the things I've missed.
5. Get involved in something you are passionate about. Tutoring neighborhood kids. Helping with the local gardening club. Organizing a home school program. Getting involved on the board at your local school. Organizing a block party for your neighborhood. Heading up a boy/girl scout group. You can serve the Lord doing just about anything.
6. Pray for opportunities to come to you. With your heart in the right place, God can open up your heart to new ways of serving.
7. Go on a missions trip. Take your family with you. Step out in faith as you serve others in another country. If that's too much for you, there are great missions opportunities right here in the US. Extreme Home Makeover & ABC don't have the corner on this market.
8. Make a meal for a family in need.
9. Pick up the phone and call a friend. Just "check in" to see how they are doing.
10. Offer your car to someone who is having car trouble. This is a tough one for me. I like my car. But it has been a huge blessing to me when someone has helped us out in our times of car trouble.
11. Share with others what you are doing. Don't be boastful about it, just tell others so that maybe they can join you. Going with a friend makes it a little easier to get started.

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are may form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's figt 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 2:4-8