December 16, 2010 – Our Gifts to God: Service
Scripture: Ephesians 6:7-8
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does.
Devotion:
The next of our gifts to God is service. I find a lot of people burn themselves out trying to serve God because they “have to”. They won’t really say that they are “buying” their way into heaven via hours “worked” but they sure act like it. Do you try to buy your spouse’s, children’s, parents’, friend’s love by doing things? I hope you said no! Why do we do this to God?
Today, at Piedmont Hospital, Mom and I had gone down for lunch. The petite, older African-American woman who served at the hot entree section served not only hot food but a warm smile and encouraging words; she told the lady ahead of me, “I appreciate you”. After she asked me what I wanted, I asked, “And how are you today?”. She replied, “Fine, and thank you so much for asking”. I said, “Well, I see how you treat people and feel that sometimes you need to be asked also”. She said, “I needed that today”. I think we were both served well today (and I’m not bragging on myself; I miss more of the opportunities of service than I like to admit).
Who served you today? Who did you serve? How did you serve? Did you miss a chance to serve?
Lord Jesus, You told us that to be first we must be last. You told us to have a servant’s heart. Help us to have a heart that serve with joy and not out of misguided duty, lovingly and with compassion, just as You tried to show us by Your example. In Your holy Name, I pray. Amen.
