You Are Not Too Young To Serve God
You Are Called To Serve Right Where You Are At
How often is it to go to church every week without thinking about how you are being served or how you can serve? Think about it. You come to church with the lights and AC on, someone greets you at the door, another takes the time to teach the Sunday school class, the music team leads worship, and the pastor delivers a message to the congregation.
What just happened? You were just tremendously served in multiple ways on a regular Sunday morning. I don’t know about you but I too often expect these things rather than receive them as gifts from God. Not only can I overlook how I have been served but I forget that I am called to serve.
As a Christian, serving others is not just a choice–it is a high calling. From the fifteen-year-old who has always attended church to the eighty-year-old who is a new believer, living like Christ means loving the way he loved.
Matthew 20:28 says, “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Are we, as Christ followers, not meant to follow the same path Christ did? Open your eyes and see how you can serve and make a lasting impact on those around you as a young person.
Resist the Excuses
All too often I consider serving someone with my time and quickly justify why I shouldn’t.
Let's be honest, lying in our comfort zone and thinking of ourselves is the default and oftentimes the motivation of our everyday lives.
Yes, I could offer to watch their kids but I’m tired.
I know they may need a meal but that takes a lot of preparation.
I’m an introvert and would rather stay home.
These are just a few examples of excuses we can make every day. Now, you need to use wisdom and discern how you serve and what you commit to.
If you can’t sing or play an instrument it wouldn’t be wise to volunteer on the worship team. You would be a distraction when your notes were flat or the wrong chords were played. Maybe you shouldn’t make a meal for someone if you are a terrible cook. Yes, stretch yourself and be excited to serve others but crushing yourself will not serve anyone, especially you.
“As a Christian, serving others is not just a choice–it is a high calling.”
2. Don’t Believe The Lies
Excuses are not the only thing we may wrestle with when we strive to serve God. It is also easy to fall prey to lies in our heads and from those around us.
1. Others are more qualified.
Somehow we think we are only fit to serve if our gifts are impressive. The comparison game is too easy to play and will oftentimes be the result of why we avoid serving. Maybe it’s the girl at church who is better with kids than you or the singer in the worship band who is more gifted. Looking within and comparing yourself is not serving anyone.
Ask, “Am I striving to serve for Christ or to impress others?”
Michael Horton says, “God’s church is not a stage for us to perform on but a garden for us to grow in.” [i]
As a believer, Christ will equip you to serve his church, other believers, and the lost in the world.
2. People will not take me seriously because of my age.
Do you remember what Paul wrote to Timothy?
He said, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers and example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:12)
The same verse can be applied to you and me today. Through your walk with Christ, you can display the Gospel just like other Christians no matter your age. Serve boldly even if you are the youngest person around you doing so.
Also, serve with humility. Serving young people means that you probably won’t have as much experience as those who are older. Be teachable and learn from other believers who are ahead of you.
Even if older individuals are skeptical of your capabilities, prove to them that you have a heart to serve and can take on responsibility.
3. I won’t make much of an impact.
The world likes to proclaim that bigger is better. You can only make an impact if you have an audience. This is not true. Being obedient to Christ and serving only one individual can have an eternal impact. Again, we have to turn away from the selfish desire of making servantship about us. You are not the focus when you serve. Aim to bring glory to God and pour into others one person at a time.
Serve one individual the same as you would a multitude.
3. You Can Encourage Others Who Are Ahead and Behind You.
One of the many gifts of the church is that believers are not molded from the same cookie-cutter. Instead, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians, we are all members of one body.
There is such a variety within the church from gifts to personalities to age.
Learn from the more mature. Maybe it is your pastor, or Sunday school teacher, or the young mom who is raising her family. Look at the Christians ahead of you and be encouraged as they walk their faith out. Also pay attention to the younger people. Be a godly example to them and make them feel seen.
4. You Will Be Served While You Are Serving
One of the greatest gifts of the church is that each believer seeking to follow Christ can also serve like Christ. So what does that mean? It means you will not be giving alone. In fact, you will be repeatedly blessed while you are blessing others.
While you are striving to impact others, other believers will be repeatedly pouring and serving you. What a great gift to have a church body that takes care of each other! Not only will you see this displayed by other believers but you will be encouraged by the Word of God as you seek to grow in God.
“Serve one individual the same as you would a multitude.”
Let the Bible truly dictate your life and propel your motivation to give the Lord glory. Also, your works do not seal your salvation. Instead, works are the result of being saved.
We find this truth in Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Your works have eternal value.
A promise we can possess is that our works for God will have an eternal impact and it can start right here in our present circumstances.
Application:
You may be inspired and feel led to serve but you don’t know where to start. There are open opportunities all around you where you can plug in.
Start with your family and friends. Do you have younger siblings you can encourage or a parent who needs help with a house project? Maybe your friend is going through a difficult time. You could write her a card or take her out for lunch.
Your local church may have upcoming events you can volunteer at. Be active in your church body. You can serve at other churches too, which are promoting ministry opportunities. Or, you can branch out and serve in your community.
Application: Make a list of ideas of how you can serve. Pray about it, talk to your parents, pastor, or friends about what they think, and commit to it!
Look for a need, pray about it, get counsel, and take action!
[i] “TOP 25 CHURCH QUOTES.” A-ZQuotes, n.d., https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1318748?ref=church
