The Altar or The Court

“I want to serve on the Altar.”

Many of the e-mails I receive contain this statement.

Now, let’s break down this phrase and see what is wrong with it, okay?

Let’s suppose you have someone working for you at home... Who decides what chores this person will do? You or her?

You employed this person to serve you, right?

So, you tell her what tasks to do each day of the week, where to clean and where the clothing that needs ironing is. If the person has to cook, you tell her what to cook.

Now let’s imagine that you are the employee.

You show up at work one day and tell your boss “Look here missy, I don’t feel like ironing today. I’m going to sit on the couch and watch some TV!”

Folks, I believe that “missy’s” expression will be of pure disbelief because she will surely not expect this sort of response! But one thing is for sure, she won’t find your behaviour acceptable and you will likely be fired…

My point is…. If you want to serve, especially God, don’t choose where you will serve. You just have to be ready to serve God wherever He wants at all times.

The work of God is not like any old profession where you can choose your tasks, it’s a calling.

The other day a young girl wrote to me “I stopped studying because I want to serve on the altar. I am waiting to be called!”

I wrote back that I found her action to be quite wrong. Think with me…

Imagine that she is never called? She stopped studying! She is “stuck” in a moment and is just waiting…how long will she be waiting???

I can just picture her a few years from now, frustrated, discouraged and turning against God and the church!

And there’s more!!!

So, let me get this straight. If you want to conquer something in this world, you study but if you decide to serve God then you don’t need to do anything, there’s no need to grow intellectually?!!!

I’m not saying that having an education is a requirement in order to do the work of God. We have many men and women of God that have no education and yet, are used greatly by Him. But, if it were up to them, they would have certainly studied.

The work of God is marvelous and very versatile!

Since I started doing the work of God I’ve done a bit of everything…

I’ve cleaned bathrooms, cleaned churches, taught English, I presented a TV show, a radio show, I’ve counseled, I’ve worked and continue to work in the church offices taking care of the finances and other things, we visit hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, I help my husband by correcting the newspaper and flyers that we prepare and I write this blog!

Wow! I’ll stop here, but there is still more!!!

And you still think that you don’t need to do anything to better yourself? Would it not be helpful if you worked on enhancing your mind?!

While you wait to be called, invest in yourself so that when you come to the altar (if you indeed do come) your talents can be used and multiplied! You will be able to help much more!

Yes, it’s true that you can learn things as you go along, but wouldn’t it be easier, and faster, if you already knew how to do them?

Open you mind my friends; the work of God isn’t small or easy!

You can have the “desire” to do the work of God on the altar in your heart but the power to make this reality pertains to the Lord. He chooses, He calls!

Lead a life that will glorify His name and when He calls, you will have something to sacrifice…

Your desire must be to serve Him, wherever your Lord chooses.

Altar or court, the choice is His and not yours.