Joyful Service!
“Serve the LORD with gladness….”
Psalm 100:2a (NKJV)
Does this describe your attitude when asked to serve? Do you serve with gladness? If not, could it be that you’ve forgotten the one whom you are called to serve? The Psalmist reminds us, “Serve the LORD…” The quickest way to restore your joy in serving others is to consider that the one you’re really serving is God. We best serve God by serving others.
Another way to restore our joy in serving is when we love with no strings attached! I’m more apt to serve with gladness when I’m serving the Lord and loving others as Christ loves me - unconditionally! Some translations change the word “serve” in Psalm 100:2 to “worship.” That tells me that my service is an act of worship! It’s a way to demonstrate my love for God! When I love with no strings attached, I can serve with gladness because my service is an act of worship!
Jesus said that those who serve would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God! “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 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 20:25-28 (NIV)
Joyful service runs contrary to our nature and our culture. We want to be served. Yet, as counterintuitive as it seems, real joy comes in serving, not being served. We lose our joy when we interpret the word “service” as “serve-us!” Jesus’ own life and ministry are a living example to us. The Bible says, “… 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)
I’m most like Jesus when I’m serving, and when I recognize that He is the one I’m serving, I can serve with gladness!
Make a radical break from our culture and begin to serve God by serving others. Step out of your comfort zone and stretch your faith into action. Love is something you do. Love is manifested when we serve the Lord with gladness. Your attitude will become contagious! People around you will wonder what is motivating you. It will point others to Jesus!
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.