Thursday September 29, 2005
When I think of a servant I think of a butler or a maid, serving their employers. Some one who is compelled by their job to serve others. Serving means demeaning yourself and doing distasteful chores. In an earthly sense this is correct. In a Godly sense, nothing could be further from the truth.
A relationship with God comes in stages. You don’t move from one stage to the next until you are ready. That means when God knows you are ready, not when you decide for yourself. You are always ready when you least expect it. Servant hood is something most people know about but don’t look forward to. The general misunderstanding is that it is an unpleasant chore. This is not true, when we serve God we serve because we love Him not because we have to. We are compelled by our desire to serve, not by the requirements of outside pressure.
Many of you are serving now and don’t even realize it. Have you ever picked up something that some one dropped and given it to them? Have you ever held the door for someone? Have you ever comforted someone? Given them a ride? Bought them lunch? Run an errand for a friend? Helped your child with their homework? Prepared communion? Prayed for someone? If the answer to even one of these questions is “yes” … YOU ARE A SERVANT! ! !
By listening to God and following his direction you are serving Him. He doesn’t require your service. He doesn’t even really need it. Serving God is a joy. It doesn’t even feel like serving to us. We do it because we want to, and we are rewarded with the joy in our spirit when we perform these services. God delights in our willingness to serve and rejoices on our joy as we help others.
You don’t have to be a Missionary or give up your life to serve. You just have to be willing to follow the heart in you that God has touched with his loving hand.
