The joy of serving
When you think of the idea of service, what comes to mind? Usually we think of work, submission and a sense of obligation. Neither of these things is particularly pleasant or joyful. However, the Bible communicates the presence and the need for joy in our service to the Lord. The Bible is full of texts that teach us that we need to have joy and gladness in our service. Consider these texts as examples:
"And the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say: Rejoice! ” (Philippians 4: 4)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith." (Galatas 5:22)
Joy is not about momentary happiness. Joy is a lasting feeling of satisfaction, peace, and appreciation that comes from the realization of something greater than a passing feeling. Joy is expected and promised for those who faithfully serve God. However, despite all these exhortations to have joy, we might ask ourselves: "How can work and service be joyful?" To better understand the teachings of the Bible and the applications of joy, let us examine three points.
1 - We find joy in service when we focus on the benefit it provides to others
Too often we are consumed by our own selfish efforts that we don't have time or the desire to think about how we can help other people. If we constantly focus on serving ourselves without looking at the needs of others, then we will never find the joy of serving. Listen to what Paul says in Philippians 2: 1-5 -
"Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if some consolation of love, if some communion of the Spirit, if some intimate affection, if any mercy, complete my joy, feeling the same, having the same love, unanimous, feeling the same thing. Do nothing for contention or for vainglory; rather with humility, each one esteeming the others as superior to himself; not looking each for his own, but each also for the others. Let this feeling be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. ”
We should not be so selfish that we only think about our needs and wants. We should be living to serve God and others. These are the main commandments found in Matthew 22: 37-40. If we refuse to develop a loving attitude of service, then we will never find the joy of serving others. Service will always seem like a pain or a terrible obligation if we don't really develop love for others. Christ noted the importance of developing a heart that focuses on giving: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35).
This not only applies to the joy we have in serving others, but much more importantly, we will never find joy in serving God if we do not put aside the selfishness of this world. If we seek the glory of God and the love and work that we can offer him, then we can find true joy. Concentrating on the glory of God will allow us to achieve this joy in serving Him.
2 - There is joy in service when we understand what service produces in our lives
Service to God and to others requires great sacrifice at times. The service is not easy. Serving others requires humility, dedication, and hard work. Jesus is the perfect example of service. He humbled himself and came to serve those with whom he worked on earth. In John 13 we see Jesus washing the disciples' feet and giving them the command to follow his example of service. The challenges Jesus went through were not easy, but they serve as an example for us.
When we face trial and sacrifice through our commitment to service, it can be easy to become frustrated or discouraged. Many times, we lose our joy in service because of the trials we face. However, we must understand the importance of these challenges in our service. James says in James 1: 2-4 - “My brothers, take great joy when you are in various trials, knowing that the trial of your faith produces patience. But let his complete work have patience, so that you may be perfect and complete, without lacking anything. ”
Paul also notes in Romans 5: 3 - "And not only this, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience;"
The trials we face in our efforts to serve the Lord and serve those around us are part of the growth process. When we experience the difficulty and challenge of serving, we are learning lessons that promote growth in our lives. We are growing to be more like God (1 Peter 1: 14-16, Matthew
When you think of the idea of service, what comes to mind? Usually we think of work, submission and a sense of obligation. Neither of these things is particularly pleasant or joyful. However, the Bible communicates the presence and the need for joy in our service to the Lord. The Bible is full of texts that teach us that we need to have joy and gladness in our service. Consider these texts as examples:
"And the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say: Rejoice! ” (Philippians 4: 4)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith." (Galatas 5:22)
Joy is not about momentary happiness. Joy is a lasting feeling of satisfaction, peace, and appreciation that comes from the realization of something greater than a passing feeling. Joy is expected and promised for those who faithfully serve God. However, despite all these exhortations to have joy, we might ask ourselves: "How can work and service be joyful?" To better understand the teachings of the Bible and the applications of joy, let us examine three points.
1 - We find joy in service when we focus on the benefit it provides to others
Too often we are consumed by our own selfish efforts that we don't have time or the desire to think about how we can help other people. If we constantly focus on serving ourselves without looking at the needs of others, then we will never find the joy of serving. Listen to what Paul says in Philippians 2: 1-5 -
"Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if some consolation of love, if some communion of the Spirit, if some intimate affection, if any mercy, complete my joy, feeling the same, having the same love, unanimous, feeling the same thing. Do nothing for contention or for vainglory; rather with humility, each one esteeming the others as superior to himself; not looking each for his own, but each also for the others. Let this feeling be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. ”
We should not be so selfish that we only think about our needs and wants. We should be living to serve God and others. These are the main commandments found in Matthew 22: 37-40. If we refuse to develop a loving attitude of service, then we will never find the joy of serving others. Service will always seem like a pain or a terrible obligation if we don't really develop love for others. Christ noted the importance of developing a heart that focuses on giving: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35).
This not only applies to the joy we have in serving others, but much more importantly, we will never find joy in serving God if we do not put aside the selfishness of this world. If we seek the glory of God and the love and work that we can offer him, then we can find true joy. Concentrating on the glory of God will allow us to achieve this joy in serving Him.
2 - There is joy in service when we understand what service produces in our lives
Service to God and to others requires great sacrifice at times. The service is not easy. Serving others requires humility, dedication, and hard work. Jesus is the perfect example of service. He humbled himself and came to serve those with whom he worked on earth. In John 13 we see Jesus washing the disciples' feet and giving them the command to follow his example of service. The challenges Jesus went through were not easy, but they serve as an example for us.
When we face trial and sacrifice through our commitment to service, it can be easy to become frustrated or discouraged. Many times, we lose our joy in service because of the trials we face. However, we must understand the importance of these challenges in our service. James says in James 1: 2-4 - “My brothers, take great joy when you are in various trials, knowing that the trial of your faith produces patience. But let his complete work have patience, so that you may be perfect and complete, without lacking anything. ”
Paul also notes in Romans 5: 3 - "And not only this, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience;"
The trials we face in our efforts to serve the Lord and serve those around us are part of the growth process. When we experience the difficulty and challenge of serving, we are learning lessons that promote growth in our lives. We are growing to be more like God (1 Peter 1: 14-16, Matthew
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