Just a Thought: Service is easier when it is an act of genuine love. Sometimes we serve people because we have to. Sometimes we serve people because it is in our best interest. But the best way to serve people is from a position of genuine love. For example, I love my wife and therefore I enjoy doing things for her. I love the church the Lord has entrusted to me therefore, I serve them to the best of my ability. And I love my pets. So, I serve them by taking care of them. Obviously, my love for each of these is different. But the point is, my love for each leads me to do what I do for them. If you have a job, you may have to do things you don’t like to do. But you serve because you agreed to do the job and you get a paycheck for doing it. Not everyone loves their job. But they love their family, so they serve. Jesus loves us! Jesus loved His disciples who were not only His followers, but they were also His closest friends. Jesus displayed His love through service. He taught them. He walked with them. He showed them things they needed to see and learn. And on the night He would be betrayed and turned over for crucifixion, He took on the role of a servant and washed their feet. “…Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (Jn 13:1, 5) Jesus didn’t do this because He had to or because it benefited Him. He did this because He loved these men and He wanted to teach them how to love and serve one another when He was gone. I read one time of a great former pastor who said, “I have no right to preach to those I have not prayed for.” I think that is a huge statement. God has entrusted us (Pastors and Spiritual leaders) with a tremendous responsibility to care for, lead and teach His people. We have to love them and pray for them to serve them appropriately. But He has done the same with you. No matter who you are or who you serve, you are there to represent the Lord. You are there to show the love of God. It doesn’t matter if it is family, friends or other people around you. The Lord has placed you where you are to display the love of God and serve others as Christ has loved and served you. And because of that, we have to pray for the Lord to fill us with His love for others. Why is that so important? Because service is easier when it is an act of genuine love. Jesus took on the role of a servant as He loved others. And, if Jesus did this, it is not beneath us to do likewise. Ask the Lord today to fill you with His love so you too can serve like Christ and display the love of God to all those around you.
