Ask not what your country can do for you...

When I was a kid, I remember hearing a part of President Kennedy's speech, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." I thought this was a cool line because it was creative. I wasn't particularly inspired to become an advocate and volunteer for America but I completely understood what he meant by it. I took
that to heart, but in a different way than the President would've expected.

As a single person or even as a Christian, we tend to ask "How is the church going to help me, how will it serve my needs, where do I fit in?" Many years ago, my mom told me that I was going to go Sunday school or a singles function so that I could be a blessing to others. Don't get me wrong, I love church and fellowshipping with others but sometimes it's easier to go home after the first service because we find much to do. Let's face it, we always have "stuff" to do. Never has there been a time where I've said to myself "I have everything done, what am I going to do with myself?". Never.

My attitude has changed in the last few years as to the church meeting my needs. I have found ways to make myself available for people or to serve the Lord in some capacity without the need to be affirmed. I have looked at my life as a single person and the Lord has shown ways for me to get involved or to help someone. Instead of focusing on myself or my singleness, it moves the focus on pleasing the Lord. This is not to toot my own horn or give myself a pat on the back because there is much improvement needed in my life still. I remember attending an adult Sunday school years ago and at the end of the nine month session, the teacher sent an email asking us what Sunday school lifestage we were going to get plugged in. I responded (with a little attitude behind it) to him in an email saying that I would get plugged in if there was even a singles Sunday school for us! I was so chagrined when I realized that he meant "Where are you going to serve?".

Being single allows for one to become self-consumed. I am not condoning the nature of a single person but it isn't hard to become this way because of our lifestyle. We are alone in virtually all we do. We don't have to get anyone ready in the morning other than ourselves. We don't need to ask our spouse whether we should buy this or that. We don't need to worry about being home at a decent time to spend time with our kids or spouse. We don't need to get permission or input from them if we should be in this or that ministry. Our life revolves pretty much around us. So, why wouldn't we ask,"How are my needs going to be met by the church?"?

It's so easy to get in a "me" mode but we need to remember that our focus is on serving Christ in everything we do. Looking out for others' interests before our own will help us to get the focus off of ourselves. (Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. )

Recently at work, I sent an email to the staff asking if anyone had a couple pieces of furniture. One woman wrote back within five minutes that she had a two-drawer filing cabinet and I could pick it up from her office any time. I wrote back to the staff telling them that I had found my cabinet and commented on the fast response and then added kiddingly, "Now, if only you could find me a husband." I got two responses to that one liner and both were offering me their husbands. One went on to say that I should enjoy my singlehood because marriage is not what it seems.

It's a sad commentary when married folk long for singleness so that they could focus on themselves again. They want freedom. What they don't remember is that that freedom comes with a price too: loneliness. Their mindset isn't, "Oh I wish I were single too so that I could serve the Lord without worrying about not spending enough time with my family." On the other end of the spectrum, many single people long for marriage to fulfill their own needs-we humans are so selfish! Marriage was designed to bring God glory not to make us live happily ever after-that can come along with it but it's not God's intention for our lives.

The focus is not about being married or about being single, but it should be on God alone and bringing Him glory. Our job on earth is to be salt and light and make Jesus' name famous. It's not about us. The church does not have a responsibility to meet the needs of its members but to collectively bring honor and glory to a most holy God and to serve Him with giving hearts and joyful attitudes. And so, my fellow Christians: ask not what the Church can do for you- ask
what you can do for the Church.

Luke 2:36-38
And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.