I was asked about a month ago to share my heart with my church youth group. The question I was given was, "Why do you serve?" At first, my flesh told me to stress about the question, but then, the Spirit told me to use the opportunity. As I sat there trying to find the right words to say, a verse came to mind.
"For even the son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
All throughout my life, I've found myself trying to serve others. In high school, I was very active in FCCLA (Family Career Community Leaders of America) where we visited nursing homes, read to children at the public library, spent Saturdays cleaning highways and doing service projects throughout the year for people in need. Though in high school I didn't have a relationship with the Lord, I feel that this was Him using me for a bigger purpose than myself. I've always loved encouraging others and letting it be known that someone was always there for them.
It wasn't until December of my senior year that I realized my need for a savior. When I turned my life over to the Lord, my desire to serve was set on fire so quickly. One of my favorite songs during this time was called "Set The World On Fire" by Britt Nicole. It starts by saying, "I wanna set the world on fire, until it's burning bright for You. It's everything that I desire, can I be the one You use?" I sang this song at least ten times every day for a couple of months and I still listen to it today. The Lord set my heart on fire for him and He is using me in so many ways.
Something I've learned over the past few years and especially these last several months is that you don't have to travel to the other side of the world to serve others or spread His love and Word. There are so many people right here in our own communities that desperately need Jesus. We are blessed so that we can bless others. At some point in your life, someone may have been terrified when sharing the Gospel with you, but aren't you glad they did? If we live our lives in fear of judgement or rejection, how are we expected to share the Gospel to the lost? People see the light of Christ in you when you let that light shine.
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
Just a few days ago, I surrendered my life to God's call for me to serve missions. Right now, He is using me as a sender to help support missionaries as they go and spread God's good Word all over the world so that others will know His love the way that I have been blessed to know it. I am, and will continue to serve in my church and community to let the God of many nations be known.
Why do I serve?
"For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more." 1 Corinthians 9:19
