“Therefore, we are Christ's representatives, and through us God is calling you. We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God.”—2 Corinthians 5:20 (GW)

When I am serving others, I know I have to make sure my inner devotion matches my outward actions. Am I giving because my heart is joyful or out of obligation? Do I find myself saying, It’s the right thing to do.” I know when I was younger this was a real struggle for me. if it was church related, I felt like I had to do everything that was put in my pathway .

We have to do a heart check to make sure out attitude is one of love not obligation. It’s easy to sign up to serve food at a shelter, but are you engaging with the people who you are serving? Going to church on Sunday isn’t hard to do, but am I  serving God Monday-Saturday? Do I look at every moment as an opportunity for me to worship/serve God? Do my actions align with God’s Word? Are my words and deeds drawing others closer to God? These are all questions I need to ask myself before I commit to an activity.

As I have grown in my faith, I have realized that before I say, “Yes,” I need to pray about what is being asked of me. ….and it is okay for me to say, “No,” if I don’t feel as if it is something God is asking me to do. There have been times when I have been praying for God to open the door and shortly after, an opportunity is put in my pathway. I won’t hesitate to say, “Yes,” when that happens, but when I am unsure, I will say, “let me pray about it first and get back to you.”

Scripture tells us that we are Christ’s representatives. Do I put into practice what I preach when I am serving? I can write about being kind as much as I want, but if I am not living it out, what kind of example am I as a Christian? Do I get it right all the time? Absolutely not, but I’d like to think I get it right more than wrong. I am human, and I get frustrated and a loving attitude doesn’t always flow from my mouth. This is where I am thankful for God’s grace and mercy that starts anew every morning.

As you go about your week, pray before you commit to any activities. Ask yourself if you are doing it from the heart or out of obligation. If God is calling you to serve somewhere, your heart will be full when you do it.

Dear Lord,

Help me each day to partner with You to share Your love and kindness through me to others around me. Let my words and actions mirror those as a representative of Christ. I ask for You to use me this week to reflect Your love to someone in need of it. Clearly open doors where You are calling me to serve. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

March Memory Verse

“The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.”—Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

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