Rowdy Serve 2023

Inspired Read: Kingdon Stewardship by Tony Evans

Hey y’all, I know I have been MIA for the past couple of months. However, I am back and cannot wait to update you guys on everything the Lord has been doing in my life. This spring break I had the opportunity to serve on my last rowdy serve trip in Castroville, Texas. The Lord has deepened my understanding and given me more direction on where He wants my life to go. I was super excited to go again because each year the Lord has been faithful to teach me new things and stretch me in new ways. This year I was with friends I already knew and who are leaders in my community. This was great because it gave me the opportunity to build upon the foundation the Lord has already set and have more complex conversations that allow me to build stronger personal convictions.

This year I made a whole list of all the things I learned as they were revealed to me. This way I can process them and remember them more effectively. I just wanted to share what the Lord has put on my heart with you guys.

Service is a form of worship.

Worship is rooted in an attitude of gratitude and reverence towards a mighty God. Worship is more than singing songs and lifting hands, it is a lifestyle that reflects the fear of God.

Serving others is a great opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It is the greatest thing that a Christian can do and Jesus demonstrated this perfectly “for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45. Getting the opportunity to serve others is more than just meeting an earthly need. Jesus says that we should feed the hungry and clothe the poor (Matthew 25:35-45) and that when we do these things to the people around us, we do them unto Him. Similarly in Colossians 3, Paul writes that “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). It should be a pleasure to serve others and God. Many people use the excuse of present suffering as proof that God either is not benevolent, or omnipotent, or that He does not exist. They think that during judgment day they will be in a position to ask God questions. “How can people die from hunger and violence? Why won’t you save them and end suffering?” However, God will ask the same of us. “I gave you all you need in abundance and imparted my Spirit to empower you. Why are people dying from hunger and violence?” He has called us to be good stewards, to love one another, and to serve one another.

The same God who created the whole earth and the surrounding galaxies with words, who destroyed the earth with a flood, and rose from the dead can feed the hungry and quench our thirst rather simply. However, He chooses to limit himself so that we can work alongside Him. He does not need us, but he wants us. He has called us co-laborers with Christ. We have a chance to work and be crucified with Jesus so that we can share in His inheritance. This is an honor. Serving is not just something that we get to do, but something we ought to do. It is a chance to glorify God with our actions and live out our faith. It not only builds our faith but the faith of others around us. In our weakness, we are reminded that He is able. We are meant to build each other up and show others the love of Christ. Serving the people around me is now a conviction I have in my life. If there is an opportunity to serve, I must do it. Not for me, but to glorify God and play an active role in fulfilling His will here on earth as it is in heaven.

Humility is the beginning of all growth.

I think something else that was really emphasized to me was having a heart that desires to walk in humility. It was actually something I learned while working with my friends Jason and Jorge. Humility is choosing to submit our free will under the will of God. Because of Jesus’s humility, we have the ability to be reconciled with God. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).

During this trip the Lord reminded me that pride closes the door to spiritual growth and that humility is the good soil that allows us to grow. While serving with my friends it was evident that they completely rely on the Lord to provide for them in every way. God is completely faithful. What is pride to a God who still provides for those who deny Him? Like Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:13 “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself”. The providence of God must be acknowledged despite our present circumstances. He still gives us air to breathe, safety, and constant grace. God chooses us and is always pursuing us so if there is any pride in me I have to remove it completely. The people in Castroville who were struggling did not know that we would come and help them, but God sent us to assist them with what they needed. That is an act of God’s providence right there! As I continue to walk with God, something Jason said during our devotional time really sat with me. When we walk in humility a lot of the things that we struggle with will not seem like big issues anymore. We must lean fully on God’s divine wisdom and understanding to lead us in holiness and righteousness. That can only happen if we have the humility to open our hearts and withdraw from the arrogance of our ego. That is how we mature spiritually. There is a clear understanding that God is sovereign, holy, and a provider.

After Rowdy Serve, I have had to make some pretty big decisions. The beautiful thing is that God has already equipped me to move forward. I am so excited to grow in the things he has taught me.