Two years ago I was so busy with online projects that I neglected to give much of myself to the needs of my community. Sure, I still served but it was in a small capacity. That says something substantial right there when you consider the fact that I attend a church that has various outreaches every day. My pastor wrote the book on Servolution, for goodness sake. I justified it by telling myself (and others) that I served in ministry via the internet: homeschool magazines, women’s conferences, and bible studies. All of my free time went to developing those ministries. Slowly my fervor to serve alongside my church family faded. Then, without warning, it was gone.
This past year many incidents in my life caused me to wake up and consider my ways. I attended the funerals of several friends and close family members all within a few months of each other. Then, my first husband, the father of my three oldest children, a man I’ve known and loved since we were children, and a new brother in Christ whom Ryan and I had the awesome honor of serving, passed away before we had the opportunity to do for him all we had hoped to. One day when I am ready I will begin to share some of the major things God did with Mark in such a short time but for now I want to express the magnitude of importance that small block of time had. What if we had chosen not to forgive; not to serve; not to love? I am so thankful that God allowed us to be a part of Mark’s journey. I don’t ever want to miss that kind of blessing.
That is why we have stepped up our efforts to serve locally among our community. And can I tell you God is speaking big things to us? I’ve also taken a leap of faith and begun serving a national womens ministry. I feel so full now that I could burst… and I know that I am supposed to. I can’t contain all of what God has given to me and keep it for myself. It has to be poured out. I can either pour it out in service to others or it will simply pour out onto the ground with no one to absorb it. I want to make sure someone else has the opportunity to experience this love from Him.
I know my story is all too common. It is so easy to get caught up in what is online. We really must learn to balance our time online. Nowadays we don’t even have to go to the computer to log on. We can chat from our ipods, tweet from our Blackberry, and watch live streaming videos on our ipad. This technology has also allowed us the ability to attend church online, tithe at the click of a mouse, and have prayer requests text to us. We never have to leave the comfort of our home and that isn’t necessarily a good thing.
The bible is filled with God’s nudges for us to love “one another” in person. These verses emphasize the importance of meeting face to face. These are just some of the scriptures God has given us:
- to serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
- bear one another (Ephesians 4:2)
- speak to one another (Ephesians 5:19)
- admonish one another (Collossians 3:16)
- offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
- have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)
Perhaps the strongest is this:
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18
Jesus served us to the point of giving His life for us. He washed feet, served meals, tended to the sick, and carried our cross. He did all of these things amongst a community of people. He overlooked no one. We shouldn’t either. If it is within our power to serve our community then we should do so. Blogging is simply a vehicle to spread the word. Our “hands” and “feet” still need to get out there and touch the world for Christ.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Matthew 25:35
Going out “into all the world” includes our own communities. We can pour our hearts into these posts but we have to have experience to share as testimony. We have to be out there, serving, feeling compassion, and being driven by His love for His people. What that means to you is between you and Him but if you make yourself available then He will put you to work. The “upside down” church part is that you will be so blessed that you can hardly stand it. It seems the more love you pour out the more returns to you. Serving is a gift.
Find the rest of the series here: 31 Days to Online Ministry
Also check out:
- Missed BlissDom 2011? Get It Here. It’s just like being there!
- ? 31 Days to Build a Better Blog – Easy step by step ways to improve your blog presence!
- Simple Blogging. – Don’t have 40 hours a week to spend on blogging? This E-book helps you grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Absolutely agree, Amy! I wonder sometimes if women feel that their contribution to their local communities wouldn’t be accepted..some turn to the net for ministry outreach. I think both are needed. And if their online presence is blessing others, then their community can also be blessed by them.