All the late nights rushing to the hospital and the hours of telling stories or sitting still in the caregivers chair wasn’t a halt in my service to God it was as unto the Lord. It just looked really different.

When you’ve grown up in church you’ve definitely had the question asked to you “How are you serving?” To which you’ll respond “I’m on the worship team,” or “I’m an usher” or my personal favourite “I help out in kids ministry” all such wonderful ways to serve the King.

But there are times when it is practically impossible to attend church. Now lets be clear scripture is very clear about neglecting the gathering of saints Hebrews 10:25 says ‘Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near’ So this isn’t staying away because you just can’t anymore with the church. Its about when God allows you to be in a season where you have no choice but to stay home on the day of worship and more so for more Sundays than one.

It could be nursing an ailing mother or spouse, taking care of a new born in the new born phase, being away in a remote place on duty or being on call as a frontliner somewhere. Whatever the case maybe it is a season in which the question how are you serving can not be answered in the same way because you don’t have the privilege to sit in a church pew for a while.

What then do you do when your heart longs to serve and you can not ?

1. You serve where God has placed you to serve.

You take care of your mum heartily as unto the Lord. You change those diapers reminding yourself that this too is as much ministry as leading worship. You work as unto to the Lord in your line of duty. Serving God in the confines of the church building is beautiful but acknowledging that service does not begin or end in these walls is the all the peace you need for this season. You’ve been called to serve God uniquely.

2. You inform your local church

Seasons like these are such a reminder that community cannot be bought. More than anything you need your community to stand in prayer with you. Inform your local church because you need people standing in prayer for and with you.

3. Be present

I’ve been deliberate about using the word ‘season’ because this is exactly what it is, ‘A season’ know that it will pass. God is kind. You won’t be on online church forever. Pick up your custom made lessons in this season and trust Gods plan for you. Resist the urge to be comfortable with never going back to church. Be present for this season but ready to show up as soon as you’re ushered out.

4. Allow people to serve you.

I grew up singing a hymn ‘Brother let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you’ There is a line in the hymn that says ‘pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too’

As much you desire to serve others, like this hymn writer, pray that you have the grace to be served as well. Someone in the body of Christ wants to be obedient to God and do this by serving you. This might look like dropping off meals at the hospital for you, calling to check in on you or even asking you how they can serve you. Allow people to serve you.

It dawns on me now that no matter how long the season, this is still but a season and that even though service doesn’t look like it did before, I’m serving God right where he has placed me.

5. Sit at His feet

Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken from her

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus says service can be taken away from you?

In seasons like these be deliberate to chose the good portion and sit with Jesus. That might look like your uninterrupted time with God and your Sunday online service or your midweek online service, whatever the case maybe stay plugged in with the source.

Don’t get too consumed with service at the expense of what matters the most. Drawing from Him whatever the season may look like.