When I am asked to serve someone I care deeply for, it is a joy. When I am asked to serve a stranger, I might also do it with joy. But, as human nature would have it, if I am asked to serve someone I know and I do not like, I need to ask God to change my heart and perspective and focus on Who I am doing it for. When my heart and mind are right with God, the “serve” is all from Him, regardless of the situation.
If I find myself stuck and unable to freely give, it is important to pray and ask God to reveal what is behind it. I know I won’t do everything perfectly. Sometimes situations are in my life for my benefit. Serving others could be simply a byproduct of God working on my heart and perspective. Someone may receive from me but the greater outcome is what God is doing with my heart.
I don’t believe I am meant to fulfill every need that is out there. But creating space in my day can allow me to be available to serve when the opportunity presents itself. The task might be a meal delivered to a grieving family or participating in a Habitat for Humanity home build. Sometimes the opportunity for serving is in my zone of “easy” and other times it takes more time, effort, and money. There is no one way serving looks except that it comes from a heart that overflows.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. [Colossians 3:23-24 NIV]
Blessings to you as you ponder your capacity for serving others!
Liz
PrayerPrompt: DISAPPOINTMENT
prayerpointsbyliz 
The verse from Colosians is the one I had put on Darryl’s headstone. I love that verse! An inheritance from the Lord! Heaven!!
The things He does for us — amazing!
This was good Liz! Thanks for sharing!
I am glad it spoke to you!
> 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. [Colossians 3:23-24 NIV] > This verse really went through me, as did the prayer point on disappointment. When I first began volunteering at Natalie’s sisters, a safe house for sexually exploited women, I was overwhelmed with the needs that were present. I was also greatly fulfilled. I felt Christ’s presence.
After a while of seeing the same women struggling with the same addictions I felt disappointed. I wanted to see change – because that is a human expectation. Transformation, the eternal kind, isn’t something that can be measured by human standards. I’ve taken a break from Natalie’s Sisters as I seek the council of the Holy Spirit and trusted friends.
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“Transformation, the eternal kind, isn’t something that can be measured by human standards.” We can’t always see what God is doing in the hearts of His people but we can be sure He is working!