“But if Serving The Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
The profound truth in Joshua 24:15 highlights a cornerstone of our faith: serving the Lord is a conscious decision, a choice freely given to each of us. God, in His wisdom, has bestowed upon us the right and privilege to choose whom we will serve. This service isn’t forced servitude but a willing act of devotion, offered for our own spiritual enrichment and the betterment of those around us. We are called to be servants, individuals who dedicate themselves to providing meaningful service and fulfilling essential duties with wholehearted commitment and earnest devotion.
“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2)
What Does It Mean to Serve the Lord?
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (Galatians 1:10)
Serving the Lord transcends mere obligation; it’s about aligning our actions and intentions with His will. As children of God, we are called to employ the unique gifts and talents He has blessed us with in service to Him. Much like children eager to please their parents, our aim should be to excel in every endeavor we undertake, dedicating ourselves to continuous growth and improvement in all areas of our lives. This pursuit of excellence requires unwavering commitment, dedicated time, and consistent effort.
Consider the example of a worship leader. To truly serve the Lord in this capacity, one must invest time in diligent rehearsal, seeking divine guidance, and immersing themselves in His presence. The goal isn’t personal aggrandizement or seeking the applause of others, but rather understanding the profound significance of their role in ministering to God’s people. It is vital to remember that our service is not for human validation—not for pastors, leaders, friends, or family—but is wholeheartedly dedicated to the glory of our Master, the one we have willingly chosen to serve.
The diligent work of a faithful servant elevates the master’s name. A servant’s dedication reflects positively on their master, bringing honor and recognition. Think of companies lauded for exceptional customer service; the positive reviews stem from the dedication of individual staff members, fostering customer loyalty and enhancing the brand’s reputation. Similarly, in the house of the Lord, when we serve God with all our heart, we become instruments of blessing for others, and in turn, bring glory to His name.
Serving God Wholeheartedly: Practical Ways
1. Through Prayer
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
Prayer is a powerful avenue for serving the Lord. It is through communion with Him that we find answers to life’s deepest questions and discover our true purpose. In a world where many are searching for meaning through fleeting self-help trends, Christians find lasting fulfillment by seeking God, our Creator, in prayer. Only God, through the Holy Spirit, can truly fill the void within us, a void often caused by a lack of understanding of our unique, divinely ordained purpose.
The global events of recent years have underscored a vital truth: the church is not confined to a building, but is the collective body of believers. Now, more than ever, the world needs individuals committed to fervent prayer, interceding for others and seeking God’s will for our times. Serving the Lord through prayer is a crucial act of service in today’s world.
2. Through Giving
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10)
Giving is a tangible expression of God’s love residing within us. Understanding the magnitude of His unwavering love naturally cultivates generosity in our hearts, mirroring His own boundless generosity. Tithing, as mentioned in Malachi, is an act of obedience and faith that unlocks blessings.
As a tither, you are promised protection and blessings that extend beyond the financial realm, encompassing your health, peace, family, and overall well-being. Knowing that you are honoring God with your giving provides the confidence to claim these blessings, understanding them as your rightful inheritance as a faithful servant. Serving through giving reflects a heart transformed by divine love.
3. Through Faith
Faith is the bedrock of the Christian life. It is the unwavering trust in the truth of God’s word that sets us free and empowers us to live according to His will. While we are each given a measure of faith, it is our responsibility to actively cultivate and strengthen it. This is achieved through studying scripture, speaking words of faith over our circumstances, and acting in faith, even when faced with uncertainty.
Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Serving the Lord through faith means living a life that demonstrates trust in His promises and relying on His power to work in and through us.
4. Through Your Role
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Serving God extends to embracing and fulfilling our God-given roles in life. For parents, this includes nurturing and guiding children in the path of righteousness. This influence isn’t limited to biological children; it encompasses all those we mentor and guide. Commitment to our assigned roles transcends mere duty; it becomes an act of service to the Lord.
The example of a mother establishing a children’s Christian club illustrates profound dedication to one’s role. By investing in the spiritual foundation of young lives, she not only impacted her immediate community but also laid a lasting legacy of faith. Such commitment demonstrates serving God through our everyday roles, creating ripples of positive change that extend for generations.
5. Through Your Passion or Calling
Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and the third day I will accomplish my purpose.” (Luke 13:32)
Jesus exemplified unwavering dedication to His divine calling. He remained steadfast in His mission, undeterred by threats or opposition, knowing He had a purpose to fulfill within a specific timeframe. We too are called to pursue our God-given passions and callings with similar determination.
Often, the greatest obstacles to serving God through our passions are internal fears: fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of the unknown. These mental battles can be overcome by taking action and speaking faith-filled affirmations. Serving through our calling means stepping out in faith, even when uncertainty looms. While not everyone may approve or appreciate our efforts, God’s approval is the ultimate validation.
Your calling is not meant to be a burden but a source of freedom, joy, and peace. Reflect on times when you felt compelled to act and experienced inexplicable joy and peace upon doing so. This is the intrinsic reward of aligning with our purpose. Ignoring our calling leads to dissatisfaction, while embracing it leads to profound fulfillment. Unlike Jesus, we do not know the duration of our time to fulfill our mission. Therefore, the urgency to act now, to serve God now, is paramount. Let us choose to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, today and every day.
