Christian Living

Answering the Call to Serve Part 3

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
03/26/22
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Help, for our struggling marriage, was found outside the local church and my husband and I began to get a picture of where God was leading.

During that season, I was still serving in the Sunday school, youth department, women's fellowship, choir and visiting other church groups for special services, while writing for various magazines, newspaper etc. My serving was lacking my obedience to have Sabbath rest and eventually, my body demanded the debt be paid. It was taken by force.

I was never taught the practicalities of taking Sabbath rest. I was brought up in the church with grandparents who were church leaders (one half, the offspring of church planters). I was handed down very good work ethics with 'love thy neigbour' as a key principle of my faith (never stressing the importance of loving my neighbour as myself) as the Scripture teaches. See Luke 10:27.

When I went on maternity leave, I grabbed the opportunity to volunteer in the church, since I longed to do so whilst I was in full-time employment and just couldn’t. I was brought up valuing the aspect of church-life where we gave back to the community. I was missing the opportunity to serve. It would have been a great time to start serving that way again, if there was a structure in place to protect volunteers from taking on too much.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a proper structure in place at the fellowships where I served to protect me from such demise. Neither was there a system allowing me to place greater importance on my service as a wife and mother over my service in the various ministries within the church.

I began struggling to balance my role as a wife, mother and volunteer (both within my church community and the wider community). Eventually, I began to shutdown from being constantly exhausted. I wanted to serve and would do it very well once I'm in the building but getting there became a struggle as I could not seem to find the right balance between home, work and church.

Recognising that I had replaced my "Yes" to God for a "Yes" to my church and community leaders, I had to repent of my sins.

In order to honour God's call on my life, I began saying, "No" but that found me nursing a wounded heart from broken relationships which resulted from unresolved conflict out of saying 'No' to my human leaders. 

I am now rising from the ashes of my past; turning my pain into praise. I will use my voice to serve, ministering the Word while using my writing to edify; responding to the call to 'Feed my sheep'. 

Today, the decision has been made.

While in recovery, I will continue to sing His praise. I will continue to serve. In my serving, God will allow for me to be served also. I will allow Him to use me as a conduit, channelling his love; bringing healing to broken hearts and wounded souls. I will lean not on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) but trust in the Lord to lead me in the way I should go.

Your Sister in Christ,
Janice S Ramkissoon
www.write2shine.com

Answering the call to serve: Part 1 | Part 2 

Note: ______Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I just want to remind you that the call to serve also comes with the call to:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”(Luke 10:27).

We cannot serve others well if we are not connected to the Source; regularly taking time-out to recharge. So love yourself enough to spend time with your Lord and Saviour so you can represent Him well in your serving. Be blessed! Stay blessed and continue to being a blessing to others.