Vineyard Church | Weekly Update August 27th, 2025

Happy Wednesday!

The Tension of Serving, The Tension of Giving

Following Jesus is beautiful and hard; every step of surrender brings us into tension. We feel it when we serve instead of being served, when we forgive instead of holding on to a desire for justice, and when we give what is most precious to us instead of clinging tightly to what we feel is ours.

Serving and generosity are both acts of surrender, and often they come under pressure. They require us to loosen our grip on control, comfort, and resources. That’s why it can feel so difficult, and why our culture pulls us in a different direction. To live after the example of Jesus is to resist the gravitational pull of self-focus and to place His will over our own.

We know that Jesus doesn’t hide this reality—He says plainly:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

But He also reveals the paradox: in surrender, we discover life.

“Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)

Henri Nouwen once wrote, “Every step in the direction of generosity is a step away from fear and toward love.” When we serve and when we give, we step out of the fear of not having enough, of not being noticed, of not being in control—and we step into the love of Christ, who has already given Himself fully for us.

The way of self-focus promises comfort, but it leaves us empty. The way of surrender feels costly, but it leads us to freedom and joy.

This week, as you pray and reflect on where we are as a church family, ask yourself:

• Where do I feel the tension? Is it serving, forgiving, giving?

• What one step could I take in that tension that leads me closer to Jesus?

On the other side of surrender is life. Let’s keep walking that life out together! Have a great week, and I’ll see you on Sunday!


Adam Greenwell
Lead Pastor
Vineyard Church
www.billingsvineyard.org