Where Are You Called to Service, to Share God’s Love?

“In the Kingdom of God, service is not a stepping-stone to nobility: it is nobility, the only kind of nobility that is recognized.” ~ T.W. Manson

“In the Kingdom of God, service is not a stepping-stone to nobility: it is nobility, the only kind of nobility that is recognized.” ~ T.W. Manson Click To Tweet

One boy went one direction; his brother went another. One chattered animatedly about dinosaurs; the other made it his mission to receive a personal hi from everyone in the room.

Both captivated me.

Then there was Ella who loved to hold hands and stare intently in your face, words never spoken; the  young blind man who loved food; the little boy who clung to his mama’s leg; and the other lad chewing on his stuffed bear who radiated excitement for camp.

This was check in for a respite weekend for our children with special needs. Those of us needing a break from the 24/7 task of caring for children and adult-children who are unable to care for themselves would soon receive 42 hours of rest.

Servants

Young able-bodied/able-minded men and women lingered on the side, waiting to meet their charges. They had come to serve. And they had come to serve the least among us.

This is one of the most beautiful things about the camp Rachel attends. The staff, paid and volunteer, give of themselves to minister to those who are normally met with disdain or impatience. An often difficult assignment they embrace with smiles and love.

Did you get that part, “give of themselves”? They didn’t just write a check or encourage someone else.

They are willing to go. To serve. To love. To make a difference.

Am I? Are you?

“Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:8-10

Serving, Loving, and Making a Difference

We all have gifts we can use in serving others: serving our neighbors, orphans, the poor, those in other nations. And no one’s gifts are limited to just the ability to write a check.

Money is nice and needed to help others, but showing love involves more than money. We need to shift our perspective from taking the easy road and seeking a life of comfortable answers to jumping in with both feet to minister to the more needy.  

As Jesus Did

We need to humble ourselves in service while elevating and glorifying the Lord. And we have a great example to follow—Jesus Christ Himself.

The King of the Universe gave up His throne to come to earth as a helpless infant. He walked this land with little more than what He had on His back, sharing the good news, healing, and ministering.

He stooped to wash His disciples’ feet (John 13).

And He said, 

“Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.“ (John 12-15). 

And it didn’t end there.

He opened His arms wide in agony to usher all who believe into His Father’s heavenly kingdom. He humbled Himself to the point of death so we could be saved (Philippians 2:8). 

Humbled

Jesus set an example for us to follow. To do as He did. To bow low in service. To minister in His love. To humble ourselves in service, so His great name may be exalted and glorified to the ends of the earth! 

We are called to serve others. Jesus set an example for us to follow: To do as He did. To bow low in service. To minister in His love. To humble ourselves in service, so His great name may be exalted/glorified to the ends of the earth! Click To Tweet

A Life of Service

We each need to be open to where and how God wants us to go. To a life of service. To love. To make a difference. It’s not someone else’s assignment, it’s yours and mine.

We each need to be open to where and how God wants us to go. To serve. To love. To make a difference. It's not someone else's assignment, it's yours and mine. Click To Tweet

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

Now who will you bless today?

To further encourage you and give you ideas on ways to serve, I’ve created this free downloadable pdf just for you. Click the button to be inspired to be Jesus’ hands and feet. 

Reflections: Do you believe the Church is too complacent in its call to serve others? Do you believe Christians in the developed nations have bought into an ideal of Christianity where we give just enough to appease our conscience, yet not enough to cause discomfort? If so, what kind of perspective switch has to occur?

More than 4 years of counting and I’ve surpassed 4,000 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! Here are numbers #4,306–4,326. Read my entire list by clicking here.

By His grace ≈

Julie