God loves for us to grow into all that He created us to be. He delights when we prosper as people. However it’s also important to remember that in all the blessings of God on our lives it’s not ever meant to be just about us. God also wants to equip and energize us to be able to serve others, and to on occasion turn our focus outwards as He works through us to affect the world for good and to share The Blessing.
The first step then is to take on the thought of giving and acts of service as an outworking and overflow of the fullness in our hearts of knowing and discovering God. Service stems from how we have connected in prayer and how we have grown to love Jesus more through getting to know Him. For it is God’s love in us that ultimately motivates us to consistently be able to serve others.
Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love. She also said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Which is a great reminder that it’s not all about what we do, but how we do it. We prevent serving becoming just another thing to do when we focus on serving with great love, regardless of how big or small it is.
We don’t have to make serving God and others a “work” that we have to drag up from somewhere inside ourselves. If we feel like its a chore then it’s a good idea to check how our relationship with Jesus is going and to check on our prayer life and pursuit of knowing Him is going. (See Blogs 20-21st Sept). For we give and serve most effectively and joyfully when it comes from the overflow of our hearts.
Today I encourage you to spend some time with Jesus and to then listen to the promptings He gives of where and how to serve others.
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone,”(Galatians 6:10)
“So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,” (Colossians 1:10-12)
Prayer: Lord please help me to understand that serving is not to be meant to be a chore, but an overflow of my heart and love for you and my fellow man. When I am striving or making it all about “works” please remind me to strengthen myself in you, so that serving becomes a joy again. In Jesus Name Amen.
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