Serving Takes Work

STORY: A Good Girl

When you hear the word “obey,” do you flash back to a time when your parent told you to obey, or perhaps a time when you asked your child to obey? Many of us, when we hear the word, tend to bristle. Who likes to be told what to do?

I wanted so much to be a good girl that I was eager to obey—except for the times I didn’t! For example, the time I asked Mom if we could take a sheet outdoors and drape over the clothesline for Patty and me to pretend we were camping. When Mom said, “No,”... you guessed it. I asked Dad and he said it would be fine. What was I thinking? It’s not like I could hide my rebellion. It was out there like a big white flag telling on me! So of course, Mom found us, and sent Patty and me to different corners of the bedroom, to punish us for my act of disobedience. Yikes!

Another time, when I was younger yet, we were not allowed to have beverages in any room but the kitchen. So, I took an empty glass upstairs to our renter and asked for a glass of water. I remember tippy-toeing all the way down the steep staircase, willing myself not to spill a drop or make a sound. And then I walked through every room of our home, sipping water. What a silly way to express my independent streak!

We might laugh now about times we disobeyed, but many choose to dangerously disregard instructions of obedience. Guidelines are given for our good, or the better good. Obedience also shows we choose to put aside our own will to yield to the instructions or standards of the person we obey.

One way we can express our faithfulness to the Lord is to serve Him in obedience.

STUDY: Follow the Serva-leader

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.” Genesis 17:1 (NLT)

• What did God say His name was here, and what does it mean to you?
• How did He instruct Abram to serve Him?
• How can you serve God faithfully?
• What does it look like to live a blameless life?

But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” Joshua 22:5 (NLT)

• Joshua expounds on the commands Moses gave Israel. What are they?
• Notice the description of how to serve God was the same as earlier in Scripture. What does it mean to you when something is repeated in the Bible by different writers?

“Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:3 and Isaiah 38:3 (NLT)

• How did Hezekiah serve the Lord?
• What does it mean to have a single-minded focus? Do you serve the Lord with that mindset?
• How did Hezekiah say he chose what to do? Do you evaluate what pleases God when you choose your actions?

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here." Zechariah 3:7 (NLT)

• What is the adverb before “serve me” in this passage? What do you think it means to follow God in that way?
• Does following God and serving Him both have the same steps and outcome? Can you do one without the other?

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 (NLT)

• What requirements did God have of Israel?
• Does He have the same requirements for you?
• How does He want us to love Him and serve Him?

STEPS: Serve God with our Words and Work

1. Be a good influence by using good words. “This is how the Lord responds: ‘If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!’” Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT)
2. Follow Christ by choosing your next steps. “Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” John 12:26 (NLT)
3. Do hard things with enthusiasm. “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Romans 12:11 (NLT)

Copyright © 2018 Kathy Carlton Willis, used with permission.