"In Christian work the initiative is too often the realization that something has to be done and I must do it. That is never the attitude of the spiritual saint, his aim is to secure the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances he is in." (Oswald Chambers)
There is a responsibility in Christian service, or any other kind for that matter. I believe that God calls us to serve Him and others. With this in mind, there is a dilemma, and here is the scenario.
I have served for several years in prison ministry. In recent years, it has become harder and harder to enlist men to serve in these prisons. So the call is made over and over "we are short of team members, and you are needed". I have responded to this several times, and now the call comes again.
All around me I see the same thing happening. Ministries are doing good work, but "the funds are not coming in to continue". "Can you help in this time of our need?" "We do not have enough manpower to serve our people". "God is challenging Christians to stand up and be counted". My cynical self says that these are guilt trips being laid on me, but are they, or is it my laziness and self absorption that is the problem?
Ministries exist to serve people. Their purpose is not necessarily to bless me in the process, as they often do, but to serve where God has called. Should I not do the same on an individual basis?
So do I respond to a guilt trip? Is the guilt trip simply of my own making, or is it a real call to service? Am I serving others or Jesus in this? Is this an earthly call or heavenly?
A dilemma to be sure.
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