What It Means To Have A 'Heart Of A Servant'
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

What It Means To Have A 'Heart Of A Servant'

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:11

681
What It Means To Have A 'Heart Of A Servant'
Caitlin Love

September 8, 2016 I wrote a blog for my local student ministry, Tide 4 Christ, about our mission trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Last year, Louisiana was hit by terrible flooding that caused major devastation in a wide spread area. Entire neighborhoods were destroyed, businesses closed, and the people took to the streets to help one another. The group I was with was only able to stay for 3 days, and we may not have made a huge impact on the cleanup effort as a whole, but the people we met and the stories we heard will forever impact myself, along with many others who were in attendance those 3 days. Below is my original blog post submitted to the Tide 4 Christ blog page.

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." — Romans 12:11

There is a lot of criticism of short-term mission trips. People believe that in order for great amounts of work to be done you need longer periods of time. While there is only so much we can do on shorter mission trips to make an impact, God doesn’t need weeks and weeks to make an everlasting impact on someone’s life.

God created the entire universe in just six days. Six days. The same God who did all of that in six days could certainly change hearts in the same amount of time or less.

While in Louisiana this past weekend, I saw houses and businesses be torn back down to studs, I watched families go through piles of ruin looking for anything they could salvage, and I watched the desire to serve, and the love for our amazing God grow for everyone who went.

Personally, this mission trip gave me a renewed sense of humility and fulfillment in my relationship with Christ. Going to help those people and seeing their faces when our teams showed up and hearing their stories made me realize how big of an impact I can make on people, even if it is just for a short time. It got me excited again about doing good and spreading Gods’ word.

The idea that more time means more impact is just not true. Sure, more time would have meant more families we could have helped, possibly done more in certain communities that had greater need, delivered food to even more people, but the impact that matters is Gods’, and I am positive that God doesn’t have a time required to reach someone’s heart.

I am so thankful to have been a part of this amazing group that never stops looking for someone to help. I’m so blessed to have found such an amazing church family with such kind hearts that want to serve the Lord.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. — Colossians 3:23-24

I wanted to re-post this, more for myself than for anyone else. I needed the reminder that on a daily basis I may not be able to change the world but I can use the talents and abilities I have and help the people that I am around. As the new school year is about to begin I hope if you are in need a church family the group at the Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, and the Tide 4 Christ Student Ministry group, would be a good option. This group has I am beyond thankful that God led me to such a wonderful church home with such wonderful God loving people to surround myself with.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

14507
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

944728
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

121852
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments