service | Ezerwoman's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘service’

Never Poured Out to Empty

Posted in Faith & Practice, Relationships, Vocation, tagged caregiving, compassion, faithfulness, God's Word, hope, Jesus Christ, life, man, mentor, ministry, service, trust, woman on July 25, 2011| 1 Comment »

My friend and mentor, Joanie, knew she was engaged in daily spiritual battle. Her soul and the souls of those around her were targets for the enemy of our lives. It was for this reason that Joanie tightly grasped the Sword of Truth. “God’s Word is all I need.”

Once, while walking through a deep valley in her life, Joanie asked me to write out the words of Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV): “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” I wrote out a second copy for myself.

One of Joanie’s favorite authors was Oswald Chambers. His book, My Utmost for His Highest, is in our home library. At a time when I was feeling insignificant and unappreciated, my husband asked me to read a page he had marked in the book. There, Chambers quoted Philippians 2:17 (NIV): “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” Chambers’ commentary reads:

“Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer — to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, ‘I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don’t want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me saying, ‘Well done.’ ”

Chambers had my attention. I was compelled to read on.

“It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a ‘doormat’ under other people’s feet. God’s purpose may be to teach you to say, ‘I know how to be abased . . .’ (Philippians 4:12). Are you ready to be sacrificed like that? Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket — to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted — not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister?”

I am thankful that my husband was drawn to this particular commentary from Chambers’ book. I reflect on it whenever I’m tempted by my human nature: Does anyone notice my hard work? Does anyone see how “poured out” I am? Will I be credited for my help? Then I think about Joanie. She was always pouring herself out for others. She was my hero, but the life marked out for her required becoming a doormat.

Joanie was willing to be insignificant — to give and minister to others — all the while calling attention to the Savior Jesus Christ. In turn, something amazing happened. Joanie was never poured out to empty. God’s Spirit filled her with enough for each day. His compassions never failed. They were new every morning.

Poured out? Unappreciated? Used up? God sent me Joanie whose life assured me: “Great is Thy faithfulness.” As I pour out to His glory, He is faithful to fill up.

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Remembering Heroes

Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Citizenship, Faith & Practice, Vocation, tagged America, Christian, faithfulness, family, freedom, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, greatest generation, Iwo Jima, patriotism, sacrifice, service, veterans, Vision Forum, war on November 11, 2010| Leave a Comment »

This morning, I stood at the Iowa Falls Veteran’s Memorial under a brilliant blue sky and surprisingly warm November sun. It was the right place to be on this Veteran’s Day. It was where my uncles would want me to be. I owe them so very much.

My uncles are heroes. Five of their names are inscribed upon the WWII Memorial wall. Uncles Wayne, Oswald and Ronald have died. But, Uncles Victor and Kenneth still live to remind me of a great sacrifice. One that I’ll never be able to repay by anything other than my promise to live on as a grateful and involved citizen.

The debt I owe my uncles is surely difficult to comprehend. But, I know this for certain. We are a safer people who can worship, work, live out dreams, raise families, and build a future because of the price paid by Americans soldiers — in the past or present.

When the members of our local American Legion fired their rifles in tribute, many things came to mind. My grandsons aren’t old enough to understand what patriotism really is, but I want to be able to tell them. America isn’t a perfect a country, but she is a free country thanks to immeasurable human sacrifice. That human sacrifice even allows those of liberal, global, and non-Christian persuasion to voice their opinions, practice their vocations, and choose their lifestyle. Sometimes, when I’m on a road trip and cross state lines, I’m physically reminded of the freedom I have to come and go as I please.

My uncles and all the others who willingly step forward in battle against evil do so because they are compelled to protect women and children. They are compelled to stand against fascism, socialism, communism, and terrorism. They are compelled to protect the freedoms of American citizens who go about their daily tasks on the home front. What is this compelling force? What instinctively beckons them to defend home and family? I believe it is the Creator of human life, God Himself, who calls and equips men to fight the battle for life. That battle may be against an enemy on foreign soil, but it may also be against the evils of everyday life on domestic soil.

Men of faithfulness are needed on all battlefronts. Just as they are needed to fight against evil ideas of men like Hitler and Hussein, they are also needed to fight closer to home against ideas, policies, and choices that threaten marriage, home, and children.

We may say my uncles were men from the “greatest generation,” but there is no generation of men (or women) greater than another. Every generation has its faults because we are all tainted by sinful pride and selfishness. In spite of human failures, however, thousands and thousands of men serve as examples of humble, yet strong and faithful manhood so that sons, grandsons, and nephews can do the same.

If you’re looking for a “teachable moment” for your sons and grandsons, order “The League of Grateful Sons,” an inspiring film shot on location in Iwo Jima. Watch and listen as veterans who fought there re-tell the story to a younger generation. You may order this DVD from Vision Forum.

Then, thank God for your grandfather, dad, uncles, or brothers who stepped forward to protect and defend home and hearth. It appears I am leaving out the women who serve their country; but, I’m not. I’m grateful to them, too, although I hold fast to the Biblical teaching that women are not called into combat. Discussions with women in the military prove that there are ways for women to serve the country they love without being placed in the direct line of enemy fire.

Thank you, my uncles. Thank you for being my heroes. Thank you for enabling me to live my days in a democratic republic, celebrate freedom, and practice Biblical faith. In the words of General Dwight D. Eisenhower,

The purpose of a devout and united people was set forth in the pages of the Bible… 1) to live in freedom, 2) to work in a prosperous land . . . and 3) to obey the commandments of God . . . This Biblical story of the Promised Land inspired the founders of America. It continues to inspire . . .

me.

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