1.20.2017

Thoughts on Serving


Serving others is an essential part of being a Christian, and a servant's heart is a must-have quality for those who are striving to be more like Jesus. However, serving others isn't always easy. Wait, let's rephrase that. Serving others is almost always not that easy! 

Why? Well, for one, it requires giving of ourselves, and often it also means doing something that we'd honestly rather not be doing if we had the choice. I usually tend to think that I am pretty good at serving others- until I start to evaluate my true feelings. Yes, there's certain things that I don't mind doing as much to help others out. We all have things like that!  
But then I started to ask myself some questions: Would I honestly pick babysitting my younger siblings -again- over reading my new library book? Would I honestly rather choose to clean up trash at the park on a hot day instead of sitting at home scrolling through blog posts? Most of the time, the answer would be no. Of my own accord, I truly don't have the desire to do those things for others instead of things for myself.

The Bible has a lot to say about serving. One of the first verses that came to mind was Mark 10:45- 
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."   Wow.... that will really get you thinking! Jesus, who was the perfect Son of God, came to earth to serve and to give His life for others- literally. 

If Jesus did that for us, shouldn't we be willing to do that for Him? For others? Remember, when we do something for someone else as unto the Lord, it's as if we're actually doing it for Him.







The world's views on serving are- as they are in a lot of other things- totally backwards to Jesus' instructions. Jesus said in Mark 9:35 ...“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”  The world says that whoever wants to be great should go after it and get it- no matter what the cost to others. The Bible says that whoever is the servant of all will be the greatest of all. Our point shouldn't be to serve to get something back or be recognized for it- it should be to simply serve where God calls us to be based on our own unique gifts and talents, like the verse below says.














I'm making it a goal this month ask God to give me a willing and selfless servant's heart, and to look for ways to serve others, no matter if they're big or small, I think it goes along well with the verse about doing everything for the glory of God. (Col. 3:23). As I explore more about serving and what the Bible says about it, I'd love to hear what you think! I'm thinking that a follow-up post on serving will appear sometime in the near future, so please feel free to share your thoughts on the subject! 



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9 comments:

  1. Very good post Emily! I also think that it's not all about you serving others but you attitude about serving others. If you serve someone but don't have a good attitude about it, then it's not so meaningful.

    Btw, love your new design ;)

    Ellie
    www.uniquelyyou1.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Ellie! I totally agree- your attitude makes a world of difference when you're serving! Great point. ;)

      Aw, thanks! I'm going to be slowly adjusting some things around here in the next few weeks, so we'll see how it turns out. :)

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  2. I love this! It's something I've been thinking on a lot. Serving others. Serving others without expecting anything in return. Just like that quote in God Girl from Hannah Whitall Smith how she realized she actually wasn't giving freely. I loved that and was challenged by it.

    I love how we're learning similar things, Emily :)

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    1. Ah, yes! I had forgotten about that quote, but it was amazing! I'll definitely have to include that one in a follow-up post. Thanks for reminding me!

      I love it too! Kindred spirits must think alike. :D

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  3. WAHT I JUST READ THE BIBLE PASSAGE YOU MENTIONED THIS MORNING. (even though it was in Matthew, not Mark ;)) But still! I think God is trying to tell me something...
    You have some great thoughts on this subject, Emily! I've been trying this month to implement the J.O.Y. acronym into my life...Jesus first, others next, myself last. It's so harrrrd...but it'll definitely be worth it if it will give me a servant's heart! =)
    Great post, Emily! I'll be looking forward to a follow-up on this! =)
    -Ariel

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    1. WOW THAT IS REALLY COOL! Isn't that amazing when God speaks to you through something like that?!
      Oh yes- the J.O.Y acronym fits amazingly well with having a servant's heart, doesn't it? It is hard, but it's worth it in the end!
      Thanks for pointing that out- I'll definitely have to include that in the follow-up post soon.

      Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Ariel! <3

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  4. What everyone said is SO TRUE, Emily!!
    AND OMW, I LOVE YOUR NEW DESIGN, IT IS SOOOOO PRETTY!!!!!
    This post had a great message, and can leave an effect on everyone. =)

    Jaidyn Elise

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    1. Yes, it is! You readers have some great thoughts- I'm so blessed to be able to discuss them with you all. :)

      Aw, thank you so much!! I'm still working on a few things, but I like it too. :D

      Thanks so much for reading, Jaidyn! <3

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  5. Aww, thanks!!

    Your welcome! =D

    Your welcome, Emily. =)
    Jaidyn Elise

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