May I ask a straight-forward question?
Why do you do what you do?
That is, what is the motive for your actions? What drives you and compels you? Specifically, when you think about how you serve God, can you also determine why you serve God?
Some serve God from a sense of “holy ought.” He is served because He must be served. He is the Master (and sometimes a difficult taskmaster, we come to believe) who has obligated us to His service. These servants are obedient, but also weighed down by the burden that they carry on behalf of God.
Some serve God in an attempt to elicit His favor. In a sense, God has become the magical genie within the mythical lantern: just rub the receptacle with enough fervor and He will be in our debt, “required” (we reason) to do our bidding. [Aside: I fear more of what we do falls into this category than we usually are willing to admit.]
Some serve God because they are overwhelmed by God. They are so captivated by the wondrous love of Christ that redeemed them from a life of emptiness that they can do nothing but serve God. They are compelled by the pressure of love that can only result in a life lived faithfully for God (2 Cor. 5:14-15).
And these also understand that there is nothing that will ever remove them from the place of God’s love. Death cannot. Life cannot. Angels cannot. Demons cannot. No circumstance, either now present or threatening to come in the future, can remove someone from God’s love. No earthly power or authority can do it. And neither can anything from the heavens above or from the earth below or, for that fact, from anywhere in all of creation (Rom. 8:38-39). Once God has placed His arms of love around us, we are secure eternally. What a comfort!
So let me ask another question. Do you know that God loves you? In the hidden reaches of your heart, that inner space where few if any have access, are you convinced of God’s eternal, limitless love for you? Do you live knowing that there is nothing else you can do to make Him love you anymore?
Here is the reason to serve Him. To be overwhelmed by God’s love will propel you to teach that children’s Sunday School class for the sixth straight year, will equip you to serve on the church bathroom cleaning crew — again, will give you joy when you wanted to be a committee chairman and instead are asked to make the ice tea for the church potluck dinners, will enable you to forgive your neighbor when he offends you again. When overwhelmed by the immensity of God’s love, there is no task and no burden that can overwhelm you.
One last question. Are you wearied by the task ahead (or the one behind)? If so, take some time today and meditate on the wonders of God’s love — because He loves you with all the eternal resources of heaven!
Words of Grace 