Serving others is God’s medicine, which is the opposite of the world’s narrative. Those who spend their lives in pursuit of being served find an empty existence. The following are two stories from my life that the Lord has used to teach me about the joy of serving.
Years ago, our company’s president discussed dipping from the big bucket. Dipping from the big bucket was the job above his that paid significantly more. Unfortunately, when he received his subsequent promotion to that coveted job, it was not what he thought.
In contrast, an older lady in our congregation volunteered at the hospital until she was 85. She always smiled when you saw her at the hospital, serving wherever they needed her. Her life had purpose and meaning as she brought the love of Jesus to others she served. There was no pay for this job, yet there was great fulfillment and joy. Think of all the lives she touched over the years. Helping others is God’s medicine against selfishness and lack of purpose.
Joseph’s Character was to Serve Others
Joseph’s life was not easy, yet he had a servant’s heart wherever he was. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and later was falsely accused and imprisoned. I believe the most fantastic part of Joseph’s character was he loved to serve when life was going well and when it was not. Joseph’s relationship with the Lord enabled him to be satisfied serving because he knew that was a source of true happiness.
Genesis 40:1It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler, and the chief baker. 3 So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. 4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while.[1]
Jesus Came to Serve
Jesus is a fantastic example of His service to others. He came into this world to serve others with kindness and humility, although He was God. From healing those who were ill or possessed by an evil spirit to washing the disciples’ feet to dying for our sins on the cross, Jesus demonstrated what a faithful servant does. When the Lord calls us into a relationship with Him, He also calls us to serve others as He did. As we do, we find that true happiness and fulfillment is serving wherever the Lord places us in whatever season or circumstance.
To hear how serving others is God’s medicine, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/prison-dreams
[1] The New King James Version (Ge 40:1–4). (1982). Thomas Nelson.