Love Your Life: Do Something For Others

I mentioned here about the article I found in an old copy of Family Circle magazine (FC) about loving your life right where you are at now. And, this is my second piece of rambling coming from that self-imposed writing prompt to take what FC offered and considering it from (hopefully) a more of a Christian worldview. LOL

FC's suggests to "remember every day what matters most to you." And, one way to do that is to do something for someone else. They suggest "giving of yourself is key to a sense of well-being."

I would argue that well-being comes not simply giving of yourself but giving yourself to God and gaining a servant's heart. Nowhere in Scripture are we to do unto others so we receive something in return. We should not seek our well-being in deeds but in Christ. And, whether the receiver acknowledges it or not, whether they appreciate it or not, or whether they know it's you or not, the true point is the service and the serving!

Romans 12.10-11: "[Be] kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord..."

Next, they suggest "Spirituality comes down to one simple word, and that is kindness."

That's funny - I thought it was all about the LOVE! LOL

Matthew 22.37-40 " Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is [the] first and great commandment. And [the] second [is] like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Again, Family Circle: "Feeling useful to those in need gives us a deep feeling of connection to humanity and a powerful sense of purpose."

My first thought: aren't we ALL in need? LOL But, seriously, serving (again) is not about what we gain but about how we act as the Lord's hands and feet here in this world. We serve because we are compelled to in thankfulness and in love ideally with no regard for what we'll receive in the future but what we have already received through Christ. It's not about our gain - it is about His glory.

Psalms 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, [And] into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, [and] bless His name.

1 Chronicles 16.28.29 Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory [due] His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

Family Circle: “If your schedule is too crowded to serve meals at a shelter or soup kitchen on a weekly basis, devote one day to rounding up coats and blankets to give the homeless, or shovel snow for an elderly neighbor.”

While I agree with the idea of act where you are with what you have, Christians need to make the time to serve! It should be an outpouring of our spirits and as natural as breathing. Using one’s discernment and through prayer, we should be able to find people all around us in need of service on a daily basis.

Matthew 6.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So, where is your treasure? And, is service one of your jewels? *wink*