Contributed by Wendy ML Tan • Feb 11, 2025
When I was much younger, I loathed the idea of doing things for church. “What would I get out of volunteering when I can’t sing a tune, or show people to empty seats? Why should I care about the refugees invading our shores? Why waste my time and energy when I am already so tired from the long hours at work?” After a while, I stopped asking. Eventually, I also stopped attending church.
Then in 2016, I made a fresh commitment to God. I remember that while attending a book study, something clicked in my heart. Serving is not about me; it is not about what I can get out of it. Rather than having the mindset of doing things to gain attention or God’s love, serving should come from my posture of contentment in God, who loves me. His abundant favour, grace and mercy in my life surpasses what the world or any human being can offer to me.
As of today, I have been actively serving in our church for more than 8 years in various roles and capacities, and I am keen to try new avenues. I still desire to go on my first short-term mission trip and I am looking forward to helping out at the upcoming 140th Anniversary Celebration of the Methodist Church of Malaysia.
The thought of letting go of an existing ministry or role that I serve in, bothers me. In part, because I do not know who can take on that role – I mean when I look around, our church is growing but the number of people who are willing to step up and serve is still, realistically, small.
I can be deeply encouraged when my friends share their stories about their little encounters and experiences in serving in various ministries; and I am greatly comforted that while my spiritual parents have shifted to another part of town, that all of my Cell Group members are willing to come together and help out in one way or another – including to host future meetings at their homes.
So my heart’s cry is for church goers, like those in my Cell Group (or yours) to step out further from their comfort zone, activate their faith and obediently answer God’s call to serve Him wholeheartedly.
However, I am aware that things are not always rosy. People may get offended by the slightest dislike towards another person. Friendships can tear apart in the face of gossip and betrayal. Unmet deadlines, stress, burnout, poor time management, sickness, insensitive remarks, selfish demands. I have experienced all that kind of stuff before.
So, why do I still choose to serve? Again, it is not about me. It is about our Extraordinary God, and His kingdom. It is about the church and her people, and more so, the people out there, who have yet to know God as their personal Lord and Saviour.
🎶
“Heal my heart and make it clean.
Open up my eyes to the things unseen.
Show me how to love like You have loved me.
Break my heart for what breaks Yours.
Everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause.
As I walk from earth into eternity.”(Hosanna, by Brooke Ligertwood)