The Gift of Serving Others

READ: ISAIAH 58:10; MATTHEW 25:31-40; 1 JOHN 4:19

In college, I worked part-time in a children’s ministry program. My tasks ranged from organizing outreach events to teaching elementary schoolers about Jesus. Though some moments were more glamorous than others (ahem, cleaning acrylic paint off a child’s sneakers), everything felt important. This was what serving God feels like. Or so I thought.

After that role ended, God called me to take a break from children’s ministry. I prayed about how He wanted me to serve during this season. What God provided wasn’t at all what I was expecting. A single mom was in need of someone to help her daughter get ready for school and drive her there every morning. This wasn’t teaching biblical truths. This wasn’t planning a community event. And it didn’t result in a thank you card. It was simply showing up with God’s love at an hour when most people would rather be sleeping. Including me.

After wrestling with God, I agreed.

The first few times were tough, especially when it was difficult to find conversation topics. But I kept coming, day after day, until something clicked. We found things in common. She began waking up early so that we could spend more time together, and I looked forward to seeing her. I finally realized God had given me a precious gift. The gift of being able to love Him through my interactions with His daughter.

Serving God looks different in each season of life. Right now, it might be teaching Sunday school or playing in the worship band. But it could also mean helping an elderly neighbor carry her groceries or sitting next to a shy kid at lunch.

The size of our service isn’t important. What matters is that we’re serving others out of our love for God and one another. How can we do this? By remembering how much God loves us—so much that He was willing to sacrifice His own life on the cross for our sins, and then rise from the dead so we could experience His love forever! As you rest in Jesus, keep your eyes open to how God might be prompting you to show His love today. • Hannah Chung

• Can you think of a time someone helped you and you experienced God’s love through them? What did they say or do? Sometimes we worry that our acts of service aren’t enough to make a difference, but God’s standards aren’t the same as human standards. God has the power to work through us to make an impact that’s far greater than anything we can do on our own. (John 6:1-14)

[Jesus said,] “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 (NIV)