service

[daggerinmysmile]

I went out in service all day today. It was good. Sometimes I feel like such a hypocrite because I'm a "pioneer" and I know everyone kind of looks up to me for that. If they only knew all the times I make excuses and don't do the right thing, and all the times I chicken out and say nothing. I'm a pioneer but sometimes I don't have the pioneer

Comments

[lemoncookie]

Understandably, you may along with other servants of Jehovah at times, feel discouraged or anxious. What a comfort to know that the prophet Elijah and the Apostle Paul experienced the same emotions! And how reassuring that just as Jehovah understood their feelings, He also understands your emotional struggle. On the one hand, you love God and your fellowman and desire to do Jehovah's work of proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. On the other hand, you may be dissapointed that at times you shrink back when an opportunity to praise Jehovah presents itself. However, just as Jehovah equipped Elijah and Paul to carry on, He also equips you today. Lean on Jehovah for strength in times of anxiety, and pray about the matter. There have been times in the past (both distant and recent) that I have spotted a shining chance at witnessing, but I ignored it - one time inadvertently giving a bad witness! I grieved over it and prayed to Jehovah, and have vowed to praise Jehovah whenever I get the chance. Now that I have noticed the problem, I do not want to leave it unchecked. You too can muster up boldness! I know what it means to feel your knees turn to jelly, your spine turn to strings, and you avoid any turn in the conversation towards spiritual things. But part of being a Christian is not only refraining from doing bad, but also compelling ourselves to do good. For most of us, learning to preach publicly did not come easy. It required that we control our body, "pummel" it and "lead it as a slave," instead of allowing it to dictate the course of least resistance.

Pray to Jehovah about it and he will support you. I highly encourage you to not give up on regular pioneering; this in no way makes you inadequate. Regular auxiliary (and especially regular) is such a strength, because you are constantly being *motivated* to go out-in-service. Did you know that the most you ever have Holy Spirit is when you are out in the ministry? This can also train you to witness informally. "Do not give up in doing what is fine", and you're right, being a pioneer is being an example. It encourages your peers as well as those younger than you to be more zealous themselves, and it warms the hearts of those older than you who have watched you grow and make the truth your own. =) Don't give up!