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Day 13 – Service
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Gandhi
College is a beautiful time in your life, endless freedom and a world full of possibilities. These are the years where you begin to find your true passions and discover what makes you come alive. The freedom college gives you will help shape you and bring the real you to the surface.
In Galatians 5:13, Paul talks about not wasting the freedom you’ve been given, but rather using it to serve and love those people around you. I’m not saying you can’t do fun things or spoil yourself a little, but there is no other time in your life when you have as much time and freedom as college. This is where you can make a big difference in other people’s lives.
Service is a broad topic and for a lot of you, you are in a new place and have no idea how to get involved or what to do, but I want to show you a new way to look at service. Jesus talks in Matthew 25:35–40 about what it means to serve others. The people come to the king and ask him how they had served him: when they fed him, or gave him something to drink, or even visit him when he was sick.
The king replies, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” We are given such an amazing opportunity here to be able to serve the Creator of our universe. The One who formed us from the dust says when we serve others, we are serving Him as well, what a concept!
And what does it mean to serve others? To feed them, clothe them, give them something to drink, those are some of the typical answers. But what about things like visiting a sick friend, sending your family a letter, or helping your roommate study for a test? These are all service too. You can serve others in the way you live, by loving others through the day to day. In serving others, you learn more about yourself and the blessings you have, as well as changing the world of the people around you. This is the time. Spread love!
JOSHUA STARKS
Senior, Computer Science major
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Gandhi
College is a beautiful time in your life, endless freedom and a world full of possibilities. These are the years where you begin to find your true passions and discover what makes you come alive. The freedom college gives you will help shape you and bring the real you to the surface.
In Galatians 5:13, Paul talks about not wasting the freedom you’ve been given, but rather using it to serve and love those people around you. I’m not saying you can’t do fun things or spoil yourself a little, but there is no other time in your life when you have as much time and freedom as college. This is where you can make a big difference in other people’s lives.
Service is a broad topic and for a lot of you, you are in a new place and have no idea how to get involved or what to do, but I want to show you a new way to look at service. Jesus talks in Matthew 25:35–40 about what it means to serve others. The people come to the king and ask him how they had served him: when they fed him, or gave him something to drink, or even visit him when he was sick.
The king replies, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” We are given such an amazing opportunity here to be able to serve the Creator of our universe. The One who formed us from the dust says when we serve others, we are serving Him as well, what a concept!
And what does it mean to serve others? To feed them, clothe them, give them something to drink, those are some of the typical answers. But what about things like visiting a sick friend, sending your family a letter, or helping your roommate study for a test? These are all service too. You can serve others in the way you live, by loving others through the day to day. In serving others, you learn more about yourself and the blessings you have, as well as changing the world of the people around you. This is the time. Spread love!
JOSHUA STARKS
Senior, Computer Science major
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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We would like to thank the students, faculty and staff of Belmont University for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.belmont.edu
