Obedience

Waiting Tables for the Lord

meghanewhite

pexels-photo-4350205

In the darkness of the early morning a school bus is getting ready for the A.M. bus route. The bus driver does the required vehicle inspection to ensure safety for the children. Part of the driver’s normal routine is to pray for each child that will ride that bus. This time of prayer is of course not a mandate, but this is no regular driver. This bus driver is my dear friend Wendy.

My amazing friend Wendy inspires me. No, this was not her childhood dream. She did not graduate college with a bus driving degree, not that you can. Yet Wendy loves driving the school bus. And even more than that, she loves the children.

Most of the children who ride Wendy’s bus, about 75%, have no dad in their life. It is no coincidence that Wendy is their bus driver. She is friendly, talks with them, lets them know they matter, and yes, prays for them. One little girl recently told Wendy that she wished she could spend the entire day with her.

My friend is being used mightily by God in a place that she never dreamt of as a ministry opportunity, yet it is. God placed Wendy on that bus to bless those precious children. Her obedience and faith encourage me greatly.

Someone needs to wait on tables.

The early disciples were busy doing God’s work by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. They were so busy that they did not have time to hand out much needed food to the widows. The Grecian Jew widows were being overlooked in the daily food distribution. (Acts 6:1)

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:2-4, NIV

Seven men were chosen to handle the food distribution to the widows. Stephen was among those men. You can read more about Stephen in Acts 7. Clearly the disciples knew this was important work because they asked for those “full of the Spirit and wisdom”. And everyone was in agreement with this proposal of these few men taking over the food distribution, or “wait tables”.

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip,Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. Acts 6:5-6, NIV

I love the obedience of these seven men to do a seemingly lesser task of waiting tables. There is a lot more glory in committing your time and energy to prayer and ministry. It just sounds flashier, but it’s not. Both are important. It does not mean that the seven chosen to distribute food weren’t praying or ministering, or that the disciples did not care about the widows. There is plenty of different Kingdom work to do, and it all matters.

I pray you are encouraged to be used by God right where you are at, right now. Whether it’s a job, or a neighborhood, or a church, or a ministry, or your own family, or fill in the blank. It may not be exciting. It may not be flashy, but God has you there for a reason. You may not always be there, but today you are. He’s got Kingdom work for each of us to do, and it may involve waiting on tables. I’m ready, are you?

Love you all,

Meghan

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV

Heavenly Father,

Your name is above every name. Thank you for including us in Your work here on Earth. Shine Your beautiful light through us no matter what You are asking us to do. No task is too small in Your Kingdom. All glory, honor, and praise to You, Father God.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Published by meghanewhite

24 thoughts on “Waiting Tables for the Lord”

  2. I am humbled that you wrote about my unique prayer ministry. Just as you never thought God would use your writing as service to Him, I never would have dreamed He would give me such an assignment. What a privilege. I pray the 75% meet their heavenly Dad as He will love them like no one else can. Yes, God can, and wants to, use His children right wherever they are!!! 💜
    1 Peter 4:10-11

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  5. I’ve been struggling to understand the direction God is leading me lately, especially with writing. Maybe part of my struggle is wanting to know the end game. Instead, I need to just serve today:

    Today, I can buy groceries for my family.
    Today, I can read a few blogs, be encouraged by them, and leave messages of encouragement back.
    Today, I edit a small piece of writing I’ve been working on.
    Today, I can hug and love my children and make them supper.
    Today, I can rest in God’s presence, knowing that in the end, the greatest gift I can give him is simply ME.

    Thank you for your encouragement, Meghan. It’s exactly what I needed today. 🙂

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  9. This is a wonderful reminder of how attentive the Lord is to His people…He who notices even when a sparrow hops on the ground or from branch to branch. He is watching, storing up our tears in His vial, writing our prayers in His journal of remembrance, creating the treasures for our works to be stored up in Heaven for us, commands His angels who minister to us, and so much more…

    Blessings to you all.

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