It’s 4:30 in the morning and the traffic heading over the H3 is almost non-existent. As I merge onto the freeway there is a city bus driving in the far right lane with a lighted sign in the back- you know the one, telling everyone what route it is assigned to- only now it had the words “Not in Service” lit up. My thoughts went to wondering where the bus was going at that hour and what an investment had been made by the state to provide service to the people of Hawaii. I guess that I have taken for granted the buses and public transportation system all my life.
I can only imagine the public outcry if the policemen, firemen, ambulance drivers and bus drivers all decided to post the “Not in Service” sign on their vehicle and just hang out, drive around and have a good time. I am sure that this would not be tolerated, after all these vehicles had been bought at a significant cost and were not meant for personal pleasure. I don’t think that anyone would be okay with salaried workers doing their own thing when there are people to serve, needs to fulfill and lives that hang in the balance.
That led me to thinking on a much larger scale. As Christians, we have been bought at far greater price, not for our self-indulgence but for service to the King of Kings. We can get so focused on the daily tasks of our jobs to forget our service to Christ. If there were signs attached to our lives, what would they say? “In Service” or “Not in Service.”
In my short time with Trinity, I’ve seen many teachers hard at work in and out of the classrooms. And, in the midst of all that work, I’ve been encouraged to see their service: praying with students, singing praises with them, instruction in God’s Word, kind encouragements, loving rebukes, and simple expressions of joy in the grace of God. Trinity Teachers know that their jobs are a means of service, which is why I think they work so hard. This view of work and service applies equally to the fireman or pastor as it does to the teacher; we cannot allow our vocation to become our service. The service to the King goes well above a vocation and should overflow into every aspect of our lives.
I believe that this is what Paul was getting at when he penned Romans 12:1, “I beseech you brothers by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Reasonable service- Paul was so in love with the Lord that he was convinced that giving his all was reasonable in exchange for what we have been given. This attitude can only come from a heart that has been amazed at the majesty and glory of God- this is the heart of a Christian. I pray that we will all be overcome by the love of God to this extent.
David Burks
Facilities Manager