Service
Open Your Bible
Jeremiah 29:4-7, Matthew 20:25-28, Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 25:31-46, John 13:1-17, 1 John 3:16-18
BY Guest Writer
The spiritual discipline of service, or putting the needs of others ahead of my own, does not come naturally to me. In fact, my tendency is to place myself upon the throne of my own heart and prioritize my own needs and desires above all else. Yet, Jesus clearly tells us to beware of this impulse and act differently. He tells us that loving God above all things and caring for those around us are the two divine directives upon which all holy living depends (Matthew 22:36–40).
In 2015, I became an elementary school teacher. Daily, I am given the opportunity to actively serve others, namely, my students. But I cannot love the people around me as God commands if I spend my energy on trying to advance my own interests. Instead, service is a means of turning to Him daily—seeking His strength, patience, and peace—if I hope to serve my students well. In this discipline, God is actively training me to become more dependent on Him and less enamored with myself.
My current position is not something I consider to be a temporary situation that I just need to “get through” on my way to something less difficult and more rewarding, or less costly to my ego and more beneficial to my sense of accomplishment. Rather, He has instructed us to “build houses” and to “plant gardens” in our current spheres of influence (Jeremiah 29:4–7). If that is indeed the case, I must begin each day pleading God’s mercy, submitting to His will, beckoning the Holy Spirit to empower me to serve others first, and then putting these things into practice. When Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26), He’s addressing my heart’s most preeminent idol: myself.
If we subscribe to the world’s definition of greatness—some combination of influence, authority, wealth, and recognition from others—Jesus would have us reconsider what we value. These assets are by no means wrong in and of themselves, but when achieving them becomes our chief motivation, we lose sight of a foundational ethic in God’s kingdom: putting ourselves aside in favor of our neighbor (Mark 12:30–31).
For my part, any success I have in the service of my students, or anyone else for that matter, is not because of who I am or what I’ve done. It’s an act of living out who He is and what He’s doing right now, in and around me. It’s the daily practice of demonstrating my dependence on Him by assuming the role of servant instead of dedicating myself to the pursuit of my own glory.
Written by Alex Florez
163 thoughts on "Service"
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It does take a lot of letting go and letting God reveal the pride inside me. Realising that I’m using my own strength to advance my own interests in my ‘service’ to others. Praise God for revealing this part of me to die to self. ✞
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How am I denying myself to help others? I’m not sure. That’s a scary question for me because I’m not sure I am. I’ll be thinking about this more
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This is an area I have struggled with. The nature is my work has been about service to others but as a mother I have struggled to let go of my old self focused desires, whether is be to be alone, do the things I want to do, be present to the wants of my children. I ask God for is grace and forgiveness. I breath and pray to stay on this mindset of service as I enter through day with my family. Praise God!
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Yes, this resonates me because as a mother I also struggle with giving myself to my family in a loving way sometimes. I crave being alone! Lol but what im called to do in these moments is to be of service to my family and their needs. I have to constantly pray to God for help in having grace for myself and them! I’m always reminded that God loves and should I. I can’t do it on my own tho because I am only human I need God.
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Such a good reminder today. It is so easy to be self-centered and self-serving. Grateful for a God who sees me and forgives my selfishness.
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Such encouraging words for the tone of life I find myself currently in. Praise God for grace & forgiveness on our learning journey to loving others well.
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Behind on the study but on time in the timely devotion as it relates to something going on in my day to day service to others. I know for certain that only the fact of who God is is the only reason I can serve others since some days I have a me, myself, and I attitude. With the leading of the Holy Spirit I can show love instead of being selfish❤️
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“This is how we have come to know love: He laid his down for us.” 1john 3:16
We will be known for our love and Jesus’ sacrifice shows us what love mean- sacrifice, humility and generosity. Thank you Jesus for living by example. -
So powerful! Looking at how Jesus served with all His heart, it convicts me, because I daily do not seek to serve others but to get through as the devotion said. Praying for a heart for others and the love for God to be through me.
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