Ephesians 6:7-8 - "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free"
In fact, even as I write that sentence, it seems odd to think of doing anything that does NOT lead to a reward!
But the truth is that there are a lot of things in life that just don't FEEL very rewarding. When we are honest, there are a lot of "have-to's" that can get in the way of our joyful foundation. Our lists are filled with driving from here to there, getting groceries, filling the car with gas, fixing the dishwasher, and on and on...
Even aspects of our life that are generally very rewarding, such as raising a family, introduce moments of great tension and despair. Kids are disrespectful, wives feel unloved by their husbands, and husbands feel not respected by their wives.
And that is why we can benefit so greatly from a memory verse such as this one from the book of Ephesians!
This verse reminds us that every single act, no matter how small, is truly an opportunity to SERVE our Lord directly!
I often wonder how different I would treat those around me if I truly saw the face of God in them. I have read that this is what drove Mother Teresa to such extraordinary service to the sick. And yet... this is what Jesus has called ALL of us to do!
So what can be our fuel to deliver this kind of service more routinely?
Remember this verse! All that you do can be in direct service to the Lord. As you serve individuals in your home, church, and community, you can serve the Lord directly. In the midst of strong service to others, even in the midst of others' disappointment or disapproval, we can find joy in our motivation to serve the Lord first.
