It’s God’s Idea: Serving in Every Season

Serving Others is God’s idea.

God’s people are repeatedly called to serve the Lord.

Jesus described His own mission in terms of service.

Believers are told to use their gifts to serve one another.

Caring for people in need is treated as service offered to Christ.

Healing Power of Serving

I do not remember a time when I was not serving in one form or another. We grew up serving. My parents spent many hours at our home church leading events, helping with the youth group, singing in the choir, and doing whatever else needed to be done. I learned to love setting tables, helping in the kitchen and nursery, hanging choir robes, and assisting with anything my parents volunteered to do.

When I was not helping, I was running around the church with my friends. That is why I smile so widely when I see the children at our church playing and laughing.

The adults in our church took all the children under their wings, not just their own. They were not afraid to correct us if we took more than our share of a snack, for example. They also noticed when I felt lost or sad and were there with an extra hug or an encouraging word. Many of them had known both sets of my parents—the parents who passed away far too early, and the sister and brother-in-law who adopted me.

It gives me great joy when the children at church run to me for hugs.

Serving has taught me that one of the best ways to begin healing yourself is to think about and do something for someone else. And who doesn’t need healing in one form or another?

Seasons of Service

I want to be careful not to define service only by what happens inside a church building, or through an organized ministry.

Some of the most important service happens at home—raising children, caring for an aging parent, supporting a spouse, at the bedside of someone who is sick. This work is often unseen and can (in my experience) require dying to ourselves and our own desires, a feat possible only by the grace of God.

These seasons of complete reliance upon grace from above to get through each day offer precious moments of connection with God.

To anyone who wants to become more connected in their church or community, and has the time and capacity in this season—consider beginning with service.

The Bonus – Increased Energy and Joy

If God is nudging you in a particular direction, but you feel unqualified, assume there is no room for you, are too tired from all your other tasks, please understand that many of us do not feel able or qualified for the work we are doing to serve others in or outside our homes and church.

May I suggest stepping forward in faith anyway.? God will supply everything you need. He can and will pour intellect, courage, and energy into weary bodies!

Just in the past week since I wrote this, the ecumenical food pantry in our county served 491 individuals, and our church’s Vacation Bible School shared the love of Jesus with forty-five children. Each and every unique gift in the body of Christ given freely made those ministries possible.

It was a busy week, but the joy in the giver’s hearts was immense.

Scripture to Ponder

Here are a few Bible Verses pertaining to service:

*“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15, NIV)

“ ^…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NIV)

“…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40 NIV)

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13 NIV)

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV)

A Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, please guide our days. Show us where our gifts are needed. Thank you for supplying everything we need when we pray “Here I am, Lord—send me.”

The Hands and Feet of Jesus!