It’s All Right Now

 

Compiled by: Darlene G. Snyder

Lisa Malcom

Gainsville, Georgia

From the book, Bits and Bites for the Pastor’s Wife

 

As I think about my years as a minister’s daughter and minister’s wife, I can relate much of my experience to the words of a once popular song. Ricky Nelson sang: “It’s all right now. I’ve learned my lesson well. You see, you can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself.” While the words might give you a warm and tingly feeling, it is not entirely true.

For many years, I tried so hard to do the right thing. To me that meant doing all the things that I felt expected of me. I played the piano or the organ for all the services, taught Sunday school and Discipleship Training courses, attended WMU, taught and directed Vacation Bible School, and prepared meals for the sick and bereaved. I did it all – sometimes all at the same time. Many times, I filled a position only because “no one else would do it.” And while I was busy doing all the ministry activities, I still worked outside my home, tried to make my children behave, managed my home,  attended college and kept my husband happy.

In 2002, God began to do some juggling of His own by moving us from our home of nearly ten years in rural Kentucky to the fast-paced lifestyle of a much larger city in Georgia. We were thrilled to be living closer to family, but soon realized God had so much more in store for us.

I soon began to realize, through circumstances in our church and in our personal lives, that “doing” all the right things was not enough to sustain me in trying times. Unable to find a job or even finish my college education was hard for me to accept. Even in our new church, capable leaders and teachers filled the positions I had held for so long. Nevertheless, God knew I needed the empty hours to find rest and refreshment in Him.

As I began searching the scriptures, trying to understand why I was feeling so unfulfilled, I read in 1 Chronicles 28:9 David’s words to Solomon.

“ And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve HIM with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts” (emphasis added).

My eyes were opened to three things as I read this verse:

Serve Him – Serve HIM –the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and earth, the King of Kings, our Wonderful Counselor, my Strong Tower, my Redeemer, Savior and Friend. As a young girl, I had accepted Christ as my Savior, but now I needed to reconfirm His authority over my life and submit to His Lordship.

Wholehearted Devotion – God doesn’t demand our complete devotion – He deserves it. My time and attention had been spread so thin, leaving little time for God. It humbled me to think of all He has done for me and of the great price He paid for my soul. How could I give Him so little while giving others so much? He deserved more than the leftovers.

A Willing Spirit – My service to Him should be only because I want to. The passion of my heart should be to serve Him because I chose to. He knows the motives behind our thoughts and actions and desires that we love Him with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength. His desire is for me to delight in Him and Him alone.

Realizing I couldn’t, and shouldn’t, try to please everyone was the first step in repairing my divided heart. As He became the focus of my attention and service, my heart was changed. Gratitude for all He has done in my life is now my motivation for serving. Fulfillment can’t be found in trying to please others or ourselves if we are a child of God. His peace and His blessings come to a heart that is fully devoted to Him.

My favorite Bible verse sums up my attitude toward service in the church now –

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord – you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 2:12