Our Service is Dictated by and Driven by Our Love of Jesus

1 Peter 5:2

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.

When we were children, many of us joined our parents in the work that needed to be done around the house.  We joined them in obedience to their request for help.  If we served them because we loved them and wanted to honor them, our work was done eagerly and with joy.  If we served them for any other reason - to earn allowance or perhaps avoid punishment - our work probably became tedious quickly.

We may find a similar experience when we seek to serve humanity.  No matter how fulfilling the service may be at first, the humanitarian cause will become exhausting if the root of our service is not our love for Our Savior.  The secret of our joy in service will be our devotion to Jesus Christ.

Jesus was the perfect model of service.  Jesus was able to carry through on His service to mankind all the way to the end because He was driven by His love for His Father first.  Honoring His Father with His obedience was His calling. The service that He provided for mankind was the result of His love for His Father.

So let us serve the Lord willingly, even eagerly, in devotion for Our Savior King.  Through our labors of love we will receive a crown of unfading glory.  Our reward will be greater than any power, wealth or pleasure that the world has to offer.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to express our love to You through our service to those around us.  We pray that You strengthen us, Lord, for our work by helping us to grow in our relationship with Your Son.  May our devotion to Him be measured by the fruits of our work.  May all that we do to serve Your kingdom bring honor and glory to Your Holy Name, the name of Your Son, Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit.  We ask all these things in the name of Our Servant King and Savior, Jesus Christ.