Reflections on Service

This year I plan to lead an LGBTQ small group. I've decided that we're going to study the gospel of Luke. I was reading through chapter five this morning (yea, I've got a ways to go...) when I was struck by verses 15 and 16: "But despite Jesus' instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer." I asked myself the question, "What does this mean for my concept of service?"

Do I make enough time for prayer as I do the work God has called me to do? Unfortunately, not nearly enough. I have had problems in the past with serving service, and not the God who called me to serve. It was a direct challenge to my way of serving to see that Jesus often withdrew to pray. When I see a need, my immediate course of action is to think of ways in which I can fill it, or how I can find someone else who can. Prayer happens, but not as much as it should. I think I'm afraid that if I withdraw, then I am failing, or not doing what needs to be done. However, the time Jesus took to pray did not make him fail. On the contrary, his connection with God the Father was evidenced in everything he did, and was the sustenance he needed to fulfill his mission on earth. Perhaps I should take a cue from that. Ultimately restoration is desired for all, but I should not expect that I alone am responsible for that with every person I meet. This might explain why I'm always so overcommited. I feel that fewer but deep relationships likely do more good than many shallow ones. That doesn't mean don't talk to other people. I feel it just means be prayerful about which relationships I invest more of my time in.

Yesterday in chapter four I was struck by the fact that Simon, James, and John left what was probably their biggest catch as fishermen to follow Jesus. Can I leave a "big catch" to follow God's will? Thinking in my life, a "big catch" might be a chance for great success musically or some great academic opportunity. Or maybe even some sort of employment. I like to think that I would let go.