The Discipline of Service

The Bible tells us that true religion is worked out in the way we live our lives. Offering our bodies in service may not seem very spiritual, but service can indeed be an act of worship. I think many people believe spirituality is some kind of mysterious, exotic experience that has little to do with “real life.”

I believe the opposite is true. True spirituality is evident in the way we handle the things that can often seem mundane. How do we treat our spouses when we are having a bad day? Do we do our jobs well, even when we are upset with our bosses? How do we act at the local sporting events and when we are on vacation? True spirituality that is focused on Christ is evident in the normal stuff of “real life.”

Christians are called to serve. Below, I could list numerous service possibilities, but instead, I am only going to list a few categories to get you thinking creatively about how you can serve God.


Ideas for Service:

1. Long-term commitment
Many people are willing to do a “one-time” favor. It is relatively easy to find someone to bake cookies, donate car-wash buckets, or serve one meal. It is much more difficult to find someone who is willing to make a commitment to serve for an extended period of time. Churches often struggle to find Sunday School teachers, elders, deacons, committee members. Consider making a commitment to serve for an extended period of time.

2. Using your gifts
It is easy to get overwhelmed by opportunities to serve. You may feel pressure to serve meals, fix bicycles, organize fundraisers, host the youth group, serve on the social action committee, save labels for the local school, be a mentor, correct Bible lessons, and deliver meals. These are all worthwhile service opportunities, but no person can participate in every worthwhile service opportunity. As you consider ways to serve God, ask God to reveal your gifts. When He prompts you to use a gift, do not feel guilty when you have to say “no” to other worthwhile service opportunities. God has given other people gifts for those areas of service.

3. Secret acts of kindness
It is a good idea to occasionally offer an act of kindness anonymously. When you offer a good deed in secret, you know it has truly been for God’s sake, rather than for the sake of being praised by others.

4. Encouragement
I think it is difficult to overstate the value of encouragement. Consider taking time to write thank-you notes or offering a word of praise when you notice someone striving to do their best. God often uses the words of people to steer people closer to Him. Use your ability to encourage others to glorify God.