Colossians: Rooted and Built Up in ChristSample

Cultivating a Heart of Service

Whether you are hanging off the back of a pickup truck handing out food to those in need, helping a friend to their car who has recently suffered a life-altering medical issue, or just trying to be more sensitive to how you can help out around the house. Serving the needs of others can take on many forms and can happen thousands of miles away or right in our own homes.

Yesterday, we looked at one way we can continue to be rooted and built up in Christ: meditating on God's word. Today we look at another: serving others.

Even in the face of great suffering and struggle, the Apostle Paul, "according to God's commission," continued to serve the church in Colossae faithfully. (See Colossians 1:25) Like Paul, we have been called by God to serve the needs of those He has strategically placed in our everyday lives. Whether in word or deed, we have the great pleasure of pointing others to Christ. Serving others in this way requires a certain posture and comes with a promise and a reward.

Acts 20:17-19 records a conversation between Paul and the elders of the church in Ephesus that provides us with a clue as to how we are to posture ourselves as we serve others. "You yourselves know how I lived among you the entire time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears." Serving from a place of humility ensures that we put others first, resist the temptation to pursue our own greatness, and follow the example of Jesus - who came to serve and not be served. (See Matthew 20:26-28)

Serving also comes with a promise and a reward. John 12:26 records these words from Jesus, "Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor." Following Jesus where He leads will inevitably open the door to opportunities to serve others resulting in God the Father honoring you through your willingness to serve.

Today, in your time alone with Jesus, consider the following prayer. "Lord, open my eyes to where I can serve the needs of others. Those who are halfway across the world, across the street, or those I sit across from at my own dinner table."