Have you ever wrestled with what it means to serve? In my own life, I’ve found it’s far easier to seek out what’s fun or brings comfort. Life gets tiring and stressful, and the only way we can survive is by putting something “fun” on the calendar, something to look forward to. Our family does this, and I don’t believe there is anything wrong with it. But I wonder if our craving for fun is masking a deeper desire for joy—the kind of fulfillment that comes from serving others.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that when He returns He will know who loves Him by the way that we help others: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in” (Matthew 25:35).
We’re tempted to read this verse and say to ourselves, “I need to sign up for a food kitchen” or “I need to give that homeless person a dollar the next time I see them.” These are all good things, sure, but is this the kind of service Jesus is really talking about in this passage?
Jesus also said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). These two passages are bold calls to live our lives wide open to constant, regular, and sacrificial acts of laying our lives down for others. Jesus’s words beckon us to worship Him not through obligatory service, but with guttural prayers asking the Lord to allow us opportunities to love in His name.
Why does Jesus ask this of us? Jesus loves us, came to die for us, and knows that the only way for us to have the full, free, and joy-filled life that we so deeply desire is through the laying down our lives for others (John 15:13).
What does this look like? It might look like embracing an interruption in our already busy day. Or perhaps it looks like bravely praying that God would send someone your way to love in His name. It might look like asking Him to reveal opportunities to worship Him through service to others. Maybe you’re called to embrace the uncomfortable and not shy away from that call because you are afraid of the unknown.
When we create margin in our lives to serve others, we realize that any sacrifices we make to worship God in this way—whether it be through our time, resources, or creativity—all pale in comparison to the joy we receive as a result.
I pray that today, God would show us ways we can serve as Jesus served, and that the joy that wells up when we do would create an unquenchable desire for more!
Maria Furlough is a wife and a mother to one amazing 11-year-old daughter, three rambunctious boys, and one baby boy who lives in the arms of Jesus. Formerly a full-time youth pastor, Maria now teaches women’s Bible studies and works as the Missions Team leader at Lake Forest Church in Huntersville, North Carolina. Maria is the author of Breaking the Fear Cycle: How to Find Peace for You Anxious Heart and Confident Moms, Confident Daughters. You can find Maria on Instagram or Facebook @MariaFurlough or online at www.mariafurlough.com.
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85 thoughts on "Worship Through Service"
I pray today that those of us who seek to shine Jesus in a dark world will receive His wisdom and guidance for who to serve and how!
Thank you, God for Julia’s surgery. We pray that her recovery continues and that her friends will be gentle with her. We pray for Mary Kay and that you will give her relief from the pain and bring her healing. We thank you for doctors and nurses who have the gifts of caring and healing.
Thank you God for holding our hands as we go through deep waters.
Have a wonderful school year Kathy. May each child/young adult see the love of Jesus in you and be drawn to Him.
Churchmouse, praying things went well for Julia and her parents yesterday.
I’ve been reading in Daniel. I am struck by the way he served so many pagan rulers honorably, while standing firm in his convictions and obedience to the Only True God, thereby bringing honor and glory to Yahweh. What an example.
That’s a really good point! Service can also be “working as if unto Christ,” even in a secular job.
My takeaways—it’s not just about acts of service but an attitude of service, which begins with prayer.
All we need to do is love God and each other. Basically thats it….sacrificial love through service…..
Yes, it’s sacrificial but above that ultimately it is obedience. “But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
1Samuel 15:22
Dear friends,
Thank you so very much for all the prayers said on our granddaughter’s behalf yesterday. The procedure went better than the doctor anticipated (God is so good!). Two of the four areas were treated and the doctor is cautiously optimistic that the lip may not need treated again. That would be the greatest blessing as the recovery is quite dramatic. Her lower lip is very swollen, though not very painful. The swelling should begin to decrease in a couple days. Julia is taking things in stride – we’re praying her friends will be kind as her physical appearance will be altered for awhile.
Again, how wonderful it is to have friends of faith I have yet to meet! In heaven one day I will hug you all!
❤️ praise God!!
That’s wonderful news. Thank you for the update. We will continue to pray for Julia. I work at a school and mainly with Kindergarteners. Maybe have Julia’s parents contact the teacher so it prepares her if the children have questions. Not singling her out but hopefully the teacher can be ready if kids start to say something.
It was just a thought since I do work with kindergartners. They are the sweetest things. And can be so sensitive to other children. Such sweethearts. I love my job!
Thank you for the update! Praise God it went so well!!
How best to worship through service as I age, hard of hearing, lower in energy, health issues, yet desiring to be the best I can be for Him? A dear mentor, up in years, once told me that “everyone who puts their hands to use for Him is worshiping, and especially if those hands are folded in prayer.” I can do that, whatever my age or limitations. And so today, as yesterday and as tomorrow, God willing, I bow my head and fold my hands. I go into battle on my knees. No retirement age for those in the Lord’s Army! Let us worship /serve as we can, when we can, however we can. Let us not compare our service nor our worship. It is not a competition. Life stages may change what we do but not that we can do. Let us worship Him in service daily, this I pray.
Amen!
School. Starts. TODAY! What a wonderful time to read about worship through service. Jesus’ words are “bold calls to live our lives wide open to constant, regular, and sacrificial acts of laying our lives down for others.” Exactly what I need to jump-start this day. I am incredibly excited about meeting my students today. I pray that I will be able to love them the way Jesus loves me and that my classroom will be a refuge, a place where students feel loved and at peace.
I teach high school art and I’m praying especially for the students that don’t want to be there; either in art or in school. I’m also praying for those students I’ve already had and didn’t really enjoy, but they’re back! I have a quote written next to Isaiah that says “Monday is the proof of Sunday.” I pray that “my light will shine in the darkness.”
Have a blessed and wonderful Wednesday.
From one teacher to another, wishing you good luck today!
Blessings to you and you students this year!
Another teacher here- praying for a great start to your new school year!
Another teacher-have a great year! God put you in your students’ lives on purpose. May you be a light in each of their lives!