How I Serve In Church By Reading Books

Laura G.

To begin, I need to confess that in my childhood I was not a book lover and I “ran away” from the books on my school's required reading list. I don't think the problem was the books, but that my mom tried to push me to read them and I wanted to protest in my own way.

Coping With Tragedy

I became a Christian almost 10 years ago in the Riga Church of Christ, when I was in the worst period of my life. Both of my parents are from big families, and before tragic events occurred I used to spend a lot of my time with relatives on holidays and on school days. In going through these events, I started to cope with pain by drinking, smoking hookah and going to parties hosted by strangers, but whenever I visited my parents I put on a façade of strength. Everything was eating me from the inside out and I felt empty, I didn't want to live like that any further.

A Fresh Start

Every book begins similarly - the author opens a blank page and starts to write. Thanks to the disciples in the Riga Church of Christ who showed me that God is merciful, I had the possibility to open a new blank page in my life.

I don't know if you remember the first years of your Christianity, but mine was like a honeymoon. As with all honeymoons, mine came to an end and the rose-colored glasses came off. I don't want to say that love for Jesus or God ends, but at this point there is a need to work harder to improve your relationship with God and other disciples.

The Benefits of Reading Spiritual Books

When you are discipling others, you quickly find out that there are no two people with the same challenges. That was the moment I started to read books written by disciples. Firstly, it was to help others, however in the last two years I have been reading them to help and encourage myself.

I have heard some sisters share that the birth of a child reveals childhood trauma and unresolved problems, but in my case I think it was marriage. I believe that I had been living with my elephant in the room yet expecting that my husband would make me happy, and that my life would change without working on myself. The pandemic put a stop to our everyday routine and I started to hear a scream inside of me: “I don't want to live like this any further, I want to be happy!”.

I started to buy books to find a way to heal myself, and I am thankful to all authors who share their stories, their war room experience and encourage us to take steps in faith.

God Provides The Answer

            Even I was feeling weak and full of struggles, I remembered this passage and I prayed to God, asking how I could serve others:

 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

He then put it on my heart to share about the books I read in the Riga Church of Christ Facebook group. Satan didn't leave me alone and he sowed doubts in me: “That is stupid, nobody is reading. How will you help someone by vulnerably writing about your thoughts and feelings after reading a book?” After I prayed to God about my struggles, He didn't leave me without an answer and one of our guests in church showed interest in one of the books I shared.

            Now most of the disciples know that I love to read spiritual books and they ask for book suggestions. I am thankful to God that He uses me through this manner of serving, and I want to encourage you, if you are struggling to find your area of service in the church, then pray to God and find a quiet place where you can hear the answer from Him. Don't be afraid, He will not leave you alone.

            So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

(Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

About the Author

Laura became a Christian in 2012 at the Riga Church of Christ, where she also met her husband Maris and married him in 2017. Together they lead a house church group.

Laura likes to spend time alone walking by the seaside and reading books, and she also loves to spend time with her husband and have fun together. Her dream is to change careers to become a web developer and to own a small cabin next to the sea or lake, where she can have a garden in her version of the Garden of Eden. She prays every day to God to show her how she can serve others and spread His Word.