Special Service!

It seems that for some people we would do just about anything, while for others we might need to think about it for a while. Doing for those who are most special to us is often not viewed as a burden no matter how difficult or long the work may be. We might even view it as a privilege to do for them, as well as a joy because they personally mean so much to us.

As we benefit others, WHO are we really serving. Yes, we may be meeting important human needs, but still, WHO is it ultimately for? The attitude with regard to this will have a powerful impact on the manner in which we do all things! It can be a powerful motivator in fulfilling tasks to the utmost of our ability as we eagerly accept the servant role.

In Ephesians -- a passage we noted in another focus earlier this month -- Paul urged slaves to offer their service "AS UNTO THE LORD and not to man", recognizing it was from THE LORD that they would ultimately be rewarded. ( Ephesians 6:7-8) The more I read through the Scriptures the more I seem to come across this attitude where I missed it before. It has therefore become clear to me this has been God's expectation all along!

Reading in 2 Chronicles yesterday morning I was struck by the following during the days of king Jehoshaphat (king of Judah):

"(4) Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. (5) HE APPOINTED JUDGES in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, (6) and said to the judges, 'Consider what you do, for YOU JUDGE NOT FOR MAN BUT FOR THE LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. (7) Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.'" ( 2 Chronicles 19:4-7 ESV)

It was THE LORD'S justice these judges were to uphold. It was THE LORD'S work they were to fulfill. Though that work brought benefit to mankind as decisions were made on their behalf, it was to be viewed as SERVICE TO GOD!

Think of the impact of our life when all we do is AS UNTO THE LORD. Imagine how powerfully that attitude will effect our actions in our families, in our communities, in our congregations, and wherever else we interact with others. Consider the quality of the service we will be offering and the joy we can experience in acknowledging what we are doing is based on a higher calling than merely that of the world. Remembering whatever we do in word or deed is to be done in His Name ( Colossians 3:17), then all the service we provide will have greater significance in its fulfillment as our life is lived for God's purposes!

Let us continue doing AS TO THE LORD because He is most special to us and our utmost desire is to please Him. With such an attitude, service of any kind will take on a whole new light. May the Lord be praised in our daily actions!

Have a great day SERVING OTHERS BECAUSE THE LORD IS SO SPECIAL TO US!
Carl

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