Dear Aunt Dara,
I have been attending the same church for about five years. I am well fed spiritually and have gained relationships with some of the other members. About three years ago I began teaching our children every Sunday, but six months ago they began rotating teachers. They have so many people teaching now that I am lucky to teach once every three months. I had felt led to use my time and talent, and I am sure of God's calling on my purpose. It's great that so many people want to help out, but we do have two services, so why can't kids to be taught in the first service as well? I've made several good suggestions and attempts, but they all get pushed down. I have even talked to leaders in the church about these. I want to do a Christmas play for the church with the kids, but the Sunday school leader is going to do a Christmas program with the kids without involving me. I have been actively praying, trying to remain humble, faithful and continue to follow God's direction and persevere like the apostle Paul.
Another member and I watch the kids on Wednesday Bible group nights, and we wanted to get the kids some much-needed new toys with our own money. One thing we wanted to do was to repurpose a mid-sized entertainment center into a play kitchen. Our children's program leader said we cannot do that. She suggested getting a new plastic one.
I am very frustrated to the point of tears and am scared it's preventing me from getting everything I could be spiritually. I feel like I have an obligation to stay committed because this is where God has led me. Should I take a break from helping out in the children's program? It breaks my heart already when I come to church and am not helping with the kids. Should I take a break from my church? I have been persistently praying and I don't seem to be getting anywhere.
Frustrated Servant
Dear Frustrated Servant,
Indeed it can be very frustrating and discouraging to feel called to serve in a certain capacity and then not be able to fulfill what you believe to be your purpose. You do sound as if you are discouraged.
First of all, let me say that you are in good company. Many people have had to wait many years before they were able to see fulfillment of God’s plan for their lives and to be used by God. For example, Abraham waited 25 years for the birth of the son that God had promised him (Genesis 12:1-7, Genesis 21:1-5). Joseph had to wait more than 20 years before he was able to see the fulfillment of the prophesy God revealed to him in his dreams (Genesis 37:1-11, Genesis 41:46 through 42:1-6, and on through the rest of Genesis). Moses had to wait in the land of Midian for 40 years before God sent him back to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of bondage (Acts 7:17-34, Exodus 7:7). Although we are not told how old David was when Samuel anointed him to be king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13), he would have been younger than 20. Estimates place his age at about 17 or younger, but he did not become king until he was 30 years old (2 Samuel 5:4). These are just a few examples, but even our Lord Jesus after He was baptized by John spent 40 days in prayer and fasting before He be began to preach (Matthew 3:16 through 4:17).
The Bible tells us in several places to wait on the Lord. Psalm 27:14 and Psalm 130:5 are just a couple of examples. We are promised that God makes all things beautiful in HIS time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). However, waiting on God’s timing is never easy and too many times we create problems for ourselves when we become impatient. I’m thinking that perhaps that may be what is happening in your case. Are you focusing on what you really want to do but currently can’t do and overlooking what you can do and currently are doing? For example, you no longer are teaching the children every Sunday because the teachers now rotate, but you also said that you still teach the children about once every three months. You said you don’t understand why the children can’t be taught during the first service (presumably so you could teach more often), but you also said that you are watching the children on Wednesday Bible group nights. You said that you were told that you could buy a new play kitchen instead of turning an entertainment center into one, but you also said that you and another member were willing to use your own money to buy new toys for the children.
I could be wrong, but I get the impression that you may be coming on too strong with your suggestions and perhaps you are having difficulty submitting to church leadership. The church leaders are the ones in charge of determining what happens during church services. Not you. The Sunday school leader was placed in charge of the Christmas program. Not you. The children’s program leader is the one in charge of children’s programs. Not you. If you are not content with using your talents where God currently has placed you, how do you expect God to give you more responsibility in the future? A large part of waiting on God’s timing is having the ability to set aside our own will, to submit to God’s will, and to submit to those who have authority. Should you take a break from your church or from helping out with the children’s programs? No. Let them know that you are willing to help with whatever they need, and leave it at that. Don’t be pushy. But also don’t be offended if you are not chosen to help or if your suggestions are rejected. Be faithful. Focus on developing your trust in the Lord, your love for your brothers and sisters in Christ, and your gratitude for where you are now in the Lord’s service. God will never give a person more who is not thankful for what he already has.
God bless,
Aunt Dara
