SERVICE

Galatians 5:13—You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

I was talking with a man who was a good friend of my father. Somewhere in the course of conversation he shared a story about Dad I had never heard before. The two of them were on a long trip when they came to a gas station. After stretching, this gentleman decided to use the bathroom. Typical of many service stations, the men’s room stank and was quite filthy. Yet to his astonishment, there was my father on his knees with a scrub brush cleaning. When he had finished tackling the room he got up and returned to the car. The entire episode took place unbeknownst to the attendant or manager.

There are many reasons why people serve. Some do so because they are wired that way. My wife can outserve me every day of every year—it’s her gift and she is good at it. Some labor because there is recognition involved. Some help because of a sense of duty or obligation. Some pitch in because they recognize the importance of the task.

The Apostle Paul wrote the Ephesians, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men” (6:7). If Jesus was in the kitchen would you load the dishwasher for your wife? Guess what? He’s in the kitchen! Would you accept or contribute mediocre workmanship if the job was for God? Guess what? It is! The One Who got down on His knees and washed His disciple’s feet sees all we do. His intent was that we would follow His example!

If we use the salvation freedom we have through Christ as an excuse to do whatever pleases us (because we’re “good to go”), should it surprise us that “Jesus” is to most a convenient swear word! Who wants to worship a Savior whose followers are too busy engaged in seeking pleasure to serve others? It is a hellacious thing to be selfish but a heavenish thing to be servish! Do you want to reach your neighbors for Christ; encourage your family; uplift your fellow Christians? Go serve them!

Honey, I’m sorry for all those times I left my underwear on the floor, didn’t help you make the bed, forgot to take out the trash and missed opportunities to serve you. Kids, forgive me for those days I was too tired to listen to you, to make time to meet your needs. I love you. And Lord that’s ditto for You! Help me to have 20/20 vision—God-inspired eyes to see opportunities to look after with all my heart for You!

Inspiration
To serve God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God.—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest