If the Christian life is a life of following Jesus, then the Christian life is a life of service. Jesus made that clear in Mark 10:45 when He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Few would argue this point; it is clear and uncontested in the church. The difficulty and struggle for many of us in our Christian walk is not so much whether we are called to serve but how that calling works out practically.
In our church plant, we have been working our way through the book of Leviticus. It has truly been a joy to see how the regulations of God always bring about revelation of His character. So, it may come as no surprise to you, dear reader, that when I was asked to write on the topic of service, my mind was first drawn to that oft-neglected book of the Old Testament.
One of the truths that have most impacted my own soul from our time in this book of the law is what God declares in chapter 22. Moses writes “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God…” and in verse 22 “He may eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy things, but he shall not go through the veil or approach the altar, because he has a blemish, that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the LORD who sanctifies them.”
At first, I was rather puzzled when studying this. Yes, God provided for their needs through the offerings, and yes, they were still able to serve the Lord in many other areas around the tabernacle… but was God truly preventing some from serving as priests simply because of a blemish? Was God discriminating against those with physical handicaps?
When viewed through the whole context of Leviticus, we see this was not the case. The role of the priest was to serve as a mediator, representing the people before the Lord and representing God to the people. When an Israelite came to the tabernacle to worship, they would not see the glory of God. Instead, they would see the priest. Because the priests represented the Lord God who sanctifies, who separates and makes holy, the priests must be holy and unblemished. Just as only an unblemished animal could be sacrificed before the Lord, only an unblemished priest could pass through the veil. No matter how hard that blemished Levite worked, no matter how passionately he desired the priesthood, no matter how gifted he may be for the job–he was forbidden to serve in that way. Any son of Aaron born with a blemish was forced to decide whether he would accept how God had created him and serve with joy in other areas, or whether he would become bitter at his created state and long jealously for the more prestigious service of the priesthood.
At this point, you’re probably thinking, “What in the world does this have to do with my Christian service?” Here is my point: just as God created some sons of Aaron with blemishes which limited their service – so too has God created each one of us with limitations.
We see this truth taught in the New Testament by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12, especially verse 11: “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” Certainly, Paul’s main point is that God has gifted as He wills. But the opposite statement is also true, God has withheld gifting as He wills. The Levite’s blemishes were not outside of God’s sovereign control and neither are the gifts we possess or do not possess. Just as the Levite might develop a blemish throughout his life, so too can Christians lose their ability to serve in certain ways over time.
Yet again you may ask; “Ok, but how does this practically impact my life?” I believe that in our sin, we are often tempted to see these limitations as evil, as only something preventing us from fulfilling our full potential. I believe God’s regulations to the Levitical priests reveal a far different view of our service. Rather than becoming bitter at what we cannot do, let us rejoice that God has not cut us off but instead has made provision for us.
This truth brings great hope to those in our churches facing physical difficulties. Consider “Bill,” an elderly man who has driven the church van for decades. His eyesight has been steadily declining, but he fears to tell anyone because driving is the way he serves. Bill can find hope that just as God accepted and used the blemished Levite for His service outside the tabernacle – so too can God use him outside of the driver’s seat.
This truth brings great hope to those facing difficult circumstances. Consider “Jessie,” the young woman who loves serving in the youth department multiple nights a week. Due to budget cuts, Jessie’s employer let her go, and she cannot find a job that will allow her to keep up her service commitments. Jessie can find hope that just as God used the Levite whose hand had been broken outside the sacrificial worship service, so too can God use her in other ways outside the youth ministry.
This truth should also bring great hope to those who are simply not gifted for certain acts of service. Consider “Julie,” who desires to be up front leading the church’s singing but has no musical talent. Julie can find hope that God has gifted her in other areas that, though they may be less public, are still honored by God.
This truth should also bring conviction to those who are bitter about their gifting or situation. Consider “Barry,” who volunteered to lead a small group but is angry when he is told he is not yet mature enough to lead. There is hope for Barry to be humbled by the limitation of his youth and to develop patience as God grows him for that role. Or consider “Maria,” who desires to be a pastor and refuses to accept that only men can hold that office. There is hope for Maria to be humbled by the limitation of the pastorate to men and to joyfully pursue other avenues of ministry. Or finally, consider “Pastor Bryan,” who believes his gifts and abilities are wasted on his little country church. There is hope for Pastor Bryan to be humbled by the limitation of his current ministry and to joyfully choose to serve the church who called him.
In our self-focused, self-advancing, “I can do anything” culture the truth that God gives us both gifts and limitations should strike us hard. The question is not “Do we have limitations in ministry?” We all do! The real question is, will we become bitter about the limitations of our service, or will we trust in God’s good sovereignty and joyfully serve in the ways that He has gifted us?
Paul the Apostle knew how great a challenge it was to trust God when faced with our limitations. He tells us in 2 Corinthians 12 that “a thorn was given [him] in the flesh.” What’s amazing is that Paul knew the purpose of this thorn, this limitation. He says it was given to keep him from being conceited. Despite knowing the positive benefit of the limitation, Paul still pleaded with the Lord about it. And how did the Lord respond? “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Having been reminded of the grace of Jesus, Paul cries out “therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Let us, like Paul, strive to be content with our strengths and gifts, as well as our weaknesses and limitations. Not because it is easy, but for the sake of Christ and the glory of His power.
What does all this mean practically for you, friend? As I stated at the beginning, the Christian life is one of service. Therefore, follow Christ and serve! But before you simply jump into whatever area of service you desire to serve in, spend some time prayerfully and honestly considering both your gifts and your limitations. If God has gifted you with abundant time and limited your physical strength, serve the Lord by praying for your fellow church members. If God has gifted you with abundant financial resources and limited your time, serve the Lord by funding the work of missions around the world. If God has gifted you with abundant physical strength and limited your ability to study, serve the Lord by tending the grounds of the church.
Whatever area of service you may end up in, always remember what God has declared: “I am the LORD who sanctifies them.” The LORD, the I AM, the Self-Existent One – the only One without limitations… He is the One who sanctifies us, and He sanctifies us to joyfully serve both by using our gifts and by wisely submitting to our limitations.
Andrew Lafferty is the husband of Sarah and the pastor of Jacksonville Bible Church. He can be reached at andrew@jbchurch.org.
This article was originally published in the July/August 2021 issue of the VOICE magazine.
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