Secrets of a Pastor’s daughter 5 - The call and how to be an Assistant

After receiving the Holy Spirit, I wanted even more to serve Jesus. I really did things for God, after all being in Japan, in the same church as my father, who was the pastor of the Church, it would be very difficult to fool him or do things just to get his attention. He knew me well, then it wouldn't work me trying to be someone I was not, therefore it is very important for us to do things to please God only, without expecting anything from people, with no intention to call anyone’s attention. I often went to church and cleaned the bathroom by myself, without anyone seeing me. I would go out to evangelize without anyone knowing. I was not worried to please my father, or do things for him to see. I wanted to please Jesus, I wanted to serve Him, I wanted to save souls, to be useful to God. My joy was to be in the Church, with my friends of faith, serving Jesus. I was not worried about becoming an Assistant; I just wanted to do what pleased God.

Until one day, my father already seeing my change, both at home and in the Church, he asked me if I had been baptized with the Holy Spirit and I very happy said yes. And he told me he already knew because my change was visible, I was different and so he lifted me as an Assistant. Girls, what a joy !! I was so happy. For me it was as if God was pleased with me and confided something so big as to be an Assistant. I felt privileged. I felt special.

When I received my assistant uniform, for me it was the most special thing I had. My mother taught me how to take care of it with great fear, love and care, after all it was my war uniform and it also represented Jesus. I would wash it by hand with all care. I would iron it and put some perfume so it would smell good when I would wear it. When I would get home after Church I would not leave it thrown anywhere around my room ever, instead I would put it away with all care to be washed later.

I also learned with my parents to consecrate myself for the meetings, I would fast for God to use me and usually Fridays I would fast for the church because I wanted God to use my hands to deliver His people from evil spirits. Tuesdays the day of healing in the same way, I wanted to be used to heal His people of any sicknesses and diseases. And Sundays I would fast because I wanted God to strengthen me spiritually. Sundays of the Lord’s Supper were the most special, I would look my best and I would go to Church with all reverence to serve the Lord's Supper. No running in the Sanctuary, nor talking at the time of the meeting. Everything in the Church is holy. From the offering bag in which we hold for the offerings, to the bathroom when we clean, we must take care of the house of our God with fear. The envelopes, the newspapers, the pamphlets, your uniform, the altar, the chairs, the CBC, EVERYTHING we must do with reverence and not anyhow.

I remember when I would climb the Altar to clean up, I would take off my shoes and be in the spirit of prayer. My father taught me that the altar is a holy place and it is so for me until today. Friends, to serve Jesus is wonderful and I love being part of this work, but we must never let time destroy or make us forget the reverence we had since the beginning. God is holy and all that is His is also holy, therefore we must have a fear when taking care of His things. The devil is the only one who does not want us to be fearful with the things of God, because he doesn't care! If you are an assistant, heed to my advice, take care of your uniform, never go to church unpresentable to serve Jesus, put on a makeup, fix your hair and make your uniform look the best in the Church. The same way for you that takes care of the kids in the CBC, YPG group and all who serve Jesus, whatever you do, do it with reverence and fear, because God sees everything we do. Do your best always, even when no one is watching, God is!! I learned that from my parents and I pass it to you this precious pearl.  A big kiss and until next week.

Juliana Furucho