The Power of Love to Fuel Fulfilling Service (2 of 3)
It is crucial to recognize the power of love as the driving force behind joyful and fulfilling service. Jesus taught us that loving God with all our heart and soul is the greatest commandment, and out of this love, we are called to serve Him and one another.
Service and love are intricately linked. It’s the nature of love to serve that which we love, both God and those we are entrusted to serve: spouse, parents, children, church family, etc.
Moses stated it rather beautifully,
Deuteronomy 10:12 Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
Everything we’re called to do starts with the greatness of God. Fear the Lord! I.e., rightfully see Him for who He is; be in awe of Him. And from there, love, obey, and serve the Lord with all your heart and soul.
Rightfully see Him for who He is; be in awe of Him. And from there, love, obey, and serve the Lord with all your heart and soul.
This is a powerful reminder that serving is hand-in-hand with loving God. When you love God most, you are most free. But we’re also called to love those God calls us to serve. Spouse. Parents. Children. Church. As Paul says,
Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers; but don’t turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
When you love God most, you are most free.
Love defends. Love provides. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love serves. Contrarily, serving without love can lead to bitterness and burnout.
Martha was so caught up in serving that she lost sight of the joy and love that should accompany her actions. The prodigal son’s older brother, who served faithfully yet without love, became bitter and resentful when he saw his father’s lavish celebration of his prodigal brother’s return.
These remind us that going through the motions of service without loving God and those we serve can be less than fulfilling. It is often the case that we may not enjoy serving because we don’t love God in the moment or those we serve.
Makes sense. Caring for a loved one is easier than caring for someone we do not love. Meeting the needs of those we love is far easier than sacrificing to meet the needs of those we hardly know. Hosting a life group is way more rewarding if you love God and the people who attend your group, even if they’re not BFF material!
Hosting a life group is way more rewarding if you love God and the people who attend your group, even if they’re not BFF material!
Let us not just serve because we think we should, but rather, out of our relationship with God as an act of love. Or don’t just “serve, serve, serve.” Love the Lord your God and serve Him only.
In the final blog of this series, we will explore further motivations and rewards of serving others in love.