Serving– maybe you find it refreshing, maybe you find it stretching. Whatever your current view, whether you’re eager or exasperated, set it aside for a moment. Let’s return to what Scripture says and remember the heart of serving as defined by God’s Word.
True service isn’t measured by output, but by the heart of obedience that offers it. If we think serving is about results and pats on the back, then we’ve missed it. It’s about humility before God and obedience to Him in doing what we were, quite literally, created to do. In Ephesians 2:10, Paul writes,
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Serving is not an extracurricular part of the Christian life– it is our calling, woven into our spiritual DNA.
But the world will often teach us to measure value by visible results. We normalize admiring accomplishments, production and efficiency. On one hand, that’s not necessarily bad. That mentality, however, can quietly infiltrate our view of Christian service.
We begin to ask questions like, “What am I achieving?” or “Is this making a difference?” While those questions aren’t inherently wrong, they can distract us from what matters most: obedience and humility.
God’s Word consistently shows that He values the heart over the outcome. In 1 Samuel 15:22, the prophet Samuel confronts Saul and says, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”
God is after our surrendered hearts that yearn to serve Him, not self-seeking service to Him. Serving isn’t about how much we can achieve or how many gold stars we can earn in the church’s eyes. It’s about being so surrendered to the Father that we humbly obey Him– serving His people and walking in the good works He prepared for us long before we ever saw them (Ephesians 2:10).
Jesus modeled this beautifully. In John 13, before going to the cross, He washed His disciples’ feet– a task reserved for the lowest servant. Jesus said in John 13:14,
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
It wasn’t about status or recognition. It was about humble love and obedience. This is the example we are called to follow–not to impress, but to obey.
And there are blessings built into serving, even if they’re not always immediate or visible. One of the greatest is the formation of deep, Christ-centered relationships.
Serving shoulder-to-shoulder with others creates space for real relationships. Walls come down when you’re serving coffee together, praying with someone, or leading a group of kids on Sunday morning. Church becomes more than a place you attend; it becomes a community you build and a community that becomes family.
Another benefit of serving is personal growth. God uses our serving to stretch and shape us. When we serve, we often find ourselves in situations that reveal our weaknesses and challenge our self-seeking nature. Proverbs 27:17 says,
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Serving regularly puts us in the kind of close, collaborative environments where we’re both challenged and encouraged to grow spiritually and relationally.
But ultimately, we serve because it’s who we are in Christ. Ephesians 2:10 isn’t a suggestion; it’s a reminder that as believers we were intentionally created for good works. These aren’t random tasks. They are specific acts of service prepared by God for you to walk in. You were created to reflect His heart, and His heart is one of a servant.
Maybe you’ve been serving faithfully and feel unseen or underappreciated. Or maybe you’ve hesitated to step in because you’re unsure where to begin. Remember, God sees every act of obedience, no matter how small. In Matthew 6:4, Jesus says,
And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
He’s not waiting for your perfection; He’s inviting your participation.
So, what does it look like for you to walk in the good works God has prepared? It might be joining one of the ministry teams at church, mentoring a student, or simply being willing to fill in where there’s a need. The point isn’t to produce impressive results. The point is to say “yes” to God.
Serving isn’t about what you can achieve. It’s about becoming the person God created you to be– someone whose life is marked by obedience, humility, and a heart ready to reflect Christ in every act, big or small.
You were created to serve. Step into that calling—not for applause, but for His glory!
