How Can I Serve God? Finding Your Path to Purpose and Faith

Psalm 100:2 (English Standard Version)

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Many believe that a “calling” to serve God is reserved for priests, nuns, or those in full-time religious professions. However, the Bible reveals a broader truth: every individual is called to serve God in their unique way. This service isn’t limited to a specific vocation or career path, though your professional life can certainly be a powerful avenue for expressing your faith.

Serving God encompasses all facets of your existence. It’s woven into the fabric of your relationships, your engagement with the world, and your personal journey of faith. To understand how to best serve God, we can turn to the teachings of Jesus Christ and find inspiration in the lives of saints like St. Francis of Assisi, who exemplified practical faith in action.

Understanding What Serving God Truly Means

It’s essential to first grasp what it means to serve God. God, in His omnipotence, has no needs in the way humans do. We turn to God for strength and guidance, not the other way around. Instead, God calls us to service by gifting us with grace, talents, and passions. These gifts are not for our own aggrandizement, but to empower us to fulfill His divine purposes in the world.

Jesus Christ provides the ultimate example of service. As the embodiment of God’s love, Jesus dedicated his earthly life to serving others, particularly those marginalized and in need – the poor, the sick, the outcast, and those overlooked by society. His love for humanity, recognizing all as children of God, was so profound that he willingly sacrificed his own life.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Therefore, to serve God is to emulate Jesus’ life and ministry by serving humanity. It is through acts of service that we genuinely express our love for God, His creation, and one another. Scripture outlines the requirements for serving in Jesus’ name, most notably in Matthew 25:34–40. In this passage, Jesus clarifies that caring for “the least of these brothers and sisters” is the measure by which we enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 25:35–40 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

The Catholic tradition beautifully encapsulates this principle through the Works of Mercy, categorized into seven Corporal Works of Mercy and seven Spiritual Works of Mercy.

The Corporal Works of Mercy offer a practical framework for addressing the physical and material needs of others. They call us to be active participants in the world, treating every individual with the reverence we would give to Christ Himself.

1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Shelter the homeless
4. Visit the sick
5. Visit the prisoners
6. Bury the dead
7. Give alms to the poor

While Corporal Works focus on physical well-being, the Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us in nurturing spiritual and emotional health, both in ourselves and in those around us.

1. Counsel the doubtful
2. Instruct the ignorant
3. Admonish the sinner
4. Comfort the sorrowful
5. Forgive injuries
6. Bear wrongs patiently
7. Pray for the living and the dead

(It’s important to note that “admonishing the sinner” should be understood as offering compassionate guidance and earnest advice, not judgmental criticism.)

Serving God through serving others is the essence of Jesus’ compassionate teachings. St. Francis of Assisi, deeply moved by the Gospel, dedicated his life to following in Jesus’ footsteps. He urged his followers to internalize Christ’s actions and embody them in their daily lives, making service the cornerstone of their faith.

Scriptural Guidance on Serving God

The Scriptures are rich with teachings on the diverse ways we can serve God and our fellow human beings. To deepen our understanding of service, we can look to the inspiring example of St. Francis and his interpretation of Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 25:35–40.

The transformative story of St. Francis and the Leper vividly illustrates how practicing the Works of Mercy can profoundly impact both the giver and the receiver. Raised in wealth and privilege as the son of a merchant, Francis, despite giving alms to lepers, harbored a deep revulsion towards them, admitting it was a “bitter thing” to even see them.

One day, before his spiritual awakening, Francis encountered a leper while riding his horse. His initial instinct was to recoil, to avoid contact. However, something shifted within him. Instead of turning away, Francis rode towards the leper, dismounted, offered alms, and then embraced and kissed the leper’s hand. In his Testament, St. Francis recounts that in this act of mercy, what was once “bitter” transformed into a “sweetness of soul and body.” By offering compassion to those rejected by society, Francis recognized the shared humanity in others. He understood that every person is created in God’s image and likeness, and therefore, serving them is serving God.

Matthew 5:43–45 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Our service shouldn’t be limited to the marginalized; it extends even to our enemies. The story of St. Francis and the Sultan exemplifies this radical inclusivity. During the Fifth Crusade in 1219, Francis journeyed to Egypt amidst the siege of Damietta. Believing he was following a path to martyrdom, he crossed into the Muslim camp and sought an audience with Sultan Malik al-Kāmil.

The Sultan, despite being advised to execute Francis for preaching against Islam, welcomed him and engaged in respectful dialogue about their faiths. Moved by Francis’s deep faith and sincerity, the Sultan granted him safe passage back to his own people. Francis, in turn, developed a profound admiration for the Sultan’s devotion and gained a new perspective on prayer and the majesty of God, recognizing God’s presence beyond the boundaries of his own faith tradition.

This encounter underscores that the pursuit of peace, both external and internal, begins with reconciliation and dialogue with those we perceive as “other.” If we believe God resides within each person, we are called to bridge divides and initiate conversations. Learning from different perspectives and experiences can inspire us to act and create positive change in ourselves and the world.

First Corinthians 12:4–7 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

We can also find inspiration for service within our own unique talents and gifts. Each person is blessed with different abilities, and we are called to share these gifts as part of a larger community. This sharing not only enriches the lives of others but also brings greater fulfillment to our own lives. The Franciscan tradition challenges us to serve the common good by being present and engaged with one another and with all of creation.

This is beautifully illustrated in the well-known story of St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio, reflecting St. Francis’ deep connection to the natural world. When Francis visited Gubbio, he learned of a fearsome wolf terrorizing the town, preying on livestock and even people. Venturing into the wilderness, Francis confronted the wolf, not with aggression, but with words of admonishment and a plea for peace. He asked the wolf to cease its attacks, promising that the townspeople would provide for its needs. Remarkably, the wolf assented and lived peacefully among the townspeople until its natural death. As the patron saint of ecology, Francis viewed all of nature as a reflection of God, referring to all creatures and natural phenomena – even the sun and moon – as his “brothers” and “sisters.” Connecting faith to nature is another profound way to be present to the world around us and draw closer to God, the Creator of all.

Practical Ways to Serve God in Everyday Life

1 Peter 4:10–11

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The encouraging truth is that serving God, by serving others, can be integrated into nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Drawing inspiration from the life and example of St. Francis, here are practical ways to serve God:

1. Deepen Your Involvement in Your Church and Community: We are all interconnected parts of the world. Actively participating in your church, parish, and local community allows you to share the gifts God has bestowed upon you, enriching the lives of those around you. Explore opportunities to volunteer your time, skills, and resources within your faith community and beyond. Learn how to get more involved in church.

2. Practice Prayerful Compassion for Those in Need: Extend your compassion and support to those struggling within your community. This can involve tangible acts of service such as donating food, offering shelter, or simply spending time with those who are lonely or marginalized. Prayerfully consider the needs around you and ask God to guide you in how you can be of service.

3. Cultivate Mindfulness and Presence: In our fast-paced, distraction-filled world, it can be challenging to bring mindful and compassionate action to our daily interactions. Make a conscious effort to be present in each moment, paying attention to the needs of those you encounter – at work, within your family, and throughout your community. Small acts of kindness and attentive listening can be powerful forms of service.

4. Embrace Respect and Curiosity in All Encounters: Recognize that every individual is a child of God and deserves respect and dignity. Strive to approach every interaction with curiosity and an open heart, even when encountering differing viewpoints. Seek to understand others, bridge divides, and build connections based on mutual respect and understanding.

5. Actively Reach Out and Advocate for Others: Serving God is not a passive endeavor. Just as Jesus actively sought out those in need, we are called to reach out and offer our talents and skills to uplift others. This includes advocating for the vulnerable and marginalized, speaking truth to power, and working towards a more just and compassionate world.

6. Prioritize Care for the Most Vulnerable: Those with the fewest resources and the least voice in society are often most in need of our service. Seek opportunities to serve children, the elderly, the sick, the imprisoned, and those often overlooked or ignored. Simple acts of kindness and attention can make a profound difference in their lives.

7. Become Stewards of Creation: We are intrinsically connected to the natural world and have a responsibility to care for God’s creation. In the face of climate change and ecological challenges, serving God includes acting as responsible stewards of the environment. Seek ways to reduce your environmental impact, promote sustainability, and advocate for the protection of our planet.

Serving God is a journey of action and advocacy, moving beyond simply understanding God’s will to actively living it out in the world. Just as St. Francis experienced a moment of grace when he embraced the leper, our own moments of grace often arise when we extend ourselves beyond our comfort zones to embrace inclusivity and compassion.

This path of service is not always easy. Our own biases, ingrained prejudices, and societal norms can present obstacles. We may not be called to confront enemy armies or venture into dangerous wildernesses, but we are all called to cultivate the courage to step outside our comfort zones and do what is right, motivated by love for God and our fellow human beings.

If you are already engaged in acts of service, consciously connecting them to your faith can deepen your spiritual life. Conversely, if you are seeking to strengthen your spiritual life, engaging in good works is a vital way to integrate your faith into your daily experiences. Exploring theological studies can provide a framework for connecting Scripture to your actions, relationships, work, and passions. This journey can lead to a more integrated life, greater self-awareness, a heightened spiritual consciousness, and a deeper connection to both humanity and the earth.

The Master of Theological Studies – Franciscan Theology program offers a foundation for understanding and integrating faith and service, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Franciscan tradition. The Franciscan School of Theology believes that each individual’s unique gifts can be channeled into service for God. This program provides an opportunity to reflect on your own calling to serve God in the world, fostering joy, fulfillment, and a deeper sense of purpose – which is, ultimately, what God desires for each of us.