“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
2 Corinthians 9:12-15
Occasionally, the blues weigh us down. And I’m no exception. The other day I was struggling all morning to breathe comfortably. I’d only been sitting in my wheelchair a few hours, and my back ached miserably. I couldn’t concentrate. I just wanted to go back to bed and forget the day.
That happened to be the morning I received a note of encouragement from the eleven-year-old daughter of a friend. Her words? “I want you to know, Joni, that I appreciate your life. You’ve really helped me overcome a lot of things. Thanks for loving God and I hope you continue to serve Him with all your heart.”
Just a simple letter with a few bright words. But God used that scrawled little note to bring sharply into focus the enormous value of serving others in His love. Only the other side of eternity will reveal to you and me the immense value our small sacrifices of service have accomplished. If you have any doubt, let today’s verses bring your service into focus…
Lord, help me to go out today and spend my life for You. Enable me to undertake some special task for You, for this refreshes and enlivens my soul. Help me to exult in distresses of every kind if they but promote service to You and to others.
