“But the people said to Joshua, ‘No! We will serve the LORD…We will serve the LORD our God and obey Him.’” – Joshua 24:21, 24 (NIV)

Sometime back, someone asked me why I was not in ‘full-time’ ministry. I also asked what ‘full-time ministry’ meant to him. His response surprised me: “Doing nothing else other than ministry.”

Apparently, some Christians have the misconception that serving God is all about holding a microphone to preach or sing or play some instrument in the music team.

However, as I will explain shortly, the Bible says we all, indeed all things, are servants of God and in ‘full-time’ ministry.

In our meditation today, we reflect on Joshua’s final words to the Children of Israel after delivering them into the Promised Land.

Earlier in Joshua 24:14-16, he admonished the people to “fear the LORD and serve Him with all faithfulness.”  

Then he declared; “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” But was Joshua a prophet or a priest or a levite? None of the above! How then was Joshua serving the Lord?

Well, his mandate was to deliver the children of Israel into the Promised Land – into their destinies and inheritance – and to him, that was part of serving the Lord.

As he prepared to depart from the scene, he expressed doubts over whether or not the people would serve the Lord. “No! We will serve the Lord,” they replied.

I really liked the word ‘No.’ Serving the Lord does take some resolve and determination, you know.

God had instructed all the Children of Israel to; “fear the Lord your God, and serve Him …” (Deut. 6:13, 10:12). Additionally, all nations are commanded to “serve the Lord with gladness …” (Psalm 100:2).

That implies that serving God is for everyone, not just for some special people.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10

In Luke 2:37, the Bible says Anna was a widow of 84 years, who departed not from the temple, “but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”

That implies that praying and fasting (intercession) is a powerful ministry. No one is too old or too frail to serve God!  

It is also important to point out that serving God has a connection to serving others.

We’re all admonished to serve one another in the areas of our gifting. Our Lord Jesus too, said He didn’t come to be served but to serve. 

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10).

That directly implies that Christian doctors, teachers, journalists, lawyers, builders, social workers, soldiers, and other professionals, are also serving God as “faithful stewards” in their respective professions.

Over the years, I’ve served on various teams at the local church. For several years for example, I served faithfully on the Finance Team, whose role was ensuring that every Shilling in the offertory was counted and sent to Accounts.

We all can serve God by serving His people. If you are committed to supporting the Gospel or the work of God or the needy financially, you’re serving God.

It’s never too late to plug into a team at your local church to serve God. Refuse to be a mere spectator waiting to be served; instead, participate by serving.

The Bible says; “If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment” (Job 36:11, NIV).

Prayer:

Almighty God, I am your servant. Help me to serve You and Your people to the last day of my life. For the glory of Your Name, Amen!