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Day 23 – Service
Today we live in a self-serving society. Many things we are concerned about are how things will benefit us, what we can do to improve our own status or what will work in our favor. It can be easy to think about these things, but it is much more difficult to think about others. We must remember that God does not want us to be self-serving. He called us to not take the easy road and to make the decision to think of others first instead of ourselves. He called us to serve.
On the surface level, service can be seen as something we do to help others who are in need, but it is much more than that. It is not only considering the needs of others but also serving generously without reservation or complaint. It is giving up your sense of self to help someone else without hesitation. It is caring more about the needs of others than your own.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19 Paul says, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” By serving others without protest or complaint, we share the love and grace of Jesus Christ. We must model Christ-like servanthood in class, with friends, during campus activities and in everything we do. God has called us to serve, and we must remember that serving others is serving Him.
Jesus is our greatest example of selflessness. There are many examples of His service to others. From Him washing the feet of many, who by society’s standards were deemed unworthy to the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus shows us selflessness.
Everything He did was for the sake of others, and He did it with happiness. In turn, everything we do should be modeled after His example. Whether it is helping a friend with their paper, cleaning up the pizza boxes your friends left lying around or spreading the love of Jesus Christ, remain selfless. Remember that God did not call us to be self-serving but to be of service to others. To serve others is to serve Him.
AKILAH PATTERSON
Residence Director, Hail Hall
Today we live in a self-serving society. Many things we are concerned about are how things will benefit us, what we can do to improve our own status or what will work in our favor. It can be easy to think about these things, but it is much more difficult to think about others. We must remember that God does not want us to be self-serving. He called us to not take the easy road and to make the decision to think of others first instead of ourselves. He called us to serve.
On the surface level, service can be seen as something we do to help others who are in need, but it is much more than that. It is not only considering the needs of others but also serving generously without reservation or complaint. It is giving up your sense of self to help someone else without hesitation. It is caring more about the needs of others than your own.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19 Paul says, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” By serving others without protest or complaint, we share the love and grace of Jesus Christ. We must model Christ-like servanthood in class, with friends, during campus activities and in everything we do. God has called us to serve, and we must remember that serving others is serving Him.
Jesus is our greatest example of selflessness. There are many examples of His service to others. From Him washing the feet of many, who by society’s standards were deemed unworthy to the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus shows us selflessness.
Everything He did was for the sake of others, and He did it with happiness. In turn, everything we do should be modeled after His example. Whether it is helping a friend with their paper, cleaning up the pizza boxes your friends left lying around or spreading the love of Jesus Christ, remain selfless. Remember that God did not call us to be self-serving but to be of service to others. To serve others is to serve Him.
AKILAH PATTERSON
Residence Director, Hail Hall
About this Plan
This 40-day prayer plan was written by students, faculty and staff at Belmont University as a daily devotional for incoming freshmen. Each day guides and encourages new college students in their faith in Jesus Christ through the word of God and the sincere thoughts, seasoned advice and honest prayers of the contributing authors. May these words help you grow in your love for God and your love for others!
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