I recall marveling at a person I met in college. He was a Bible student who took his faith seriously. But the most remarkable thing about him was his pleasure in serving others. I had never met anyone like that before. I watched him as we were assigned to the same service project.
He dearly loved the Lord. And that love overflowed onto any person in his path. It wasn’t his life goal to serve as many people as possible. It was his life goal to serve the Lord. And his serving the Lord led to him serving people.
Most of us serve others in some capacity. Are you married? Are you a parent? Maybe, you’re a caregiver? What is your occupation? Many have service built directly in!
Do we make it a daily goal to serve our family or designated demographic? Or, like my friend, do we make it our goal to serve God? And in serving God, if He instructs us to serve others, then we serve Him throughs serving others.
Psalm 100:2 instructs us to, “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence singing.” (ESV)
I have learned that while there is value in assessing my skills and abilities, I can learn just about anything, especially when I sense God directing me to glorify Him by performing designated tasks. I am happy to try a new skill or attempt novel undertakings so I can worship Him through my work.
I have learned it may not be vital which activity I perform, as long as my heart is truly in the act of service. Deuteronomy 10:12b (ESV) reminds me to “ serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
It’s not about a checklist, but it is all about His love overflowing from my heart into my willing hands to accomplish something for Him.
How about you? Do you sometimes tire of a to-do list you may feel you have to do? Would you rather serve because you know God and want to serve Him and share His love because you get to do it?
He wants to help our hearts get to that place. Let’s ask Him for help with just that.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Allow me to worship You. Pure, unadulterated worship. As I worship and just take pleasure in Your presence, please gently show me how I can serve You. May my service to You flow from Your love and reflect You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.