A LIFE OF SERVICE

Serving God in a way can seem like a difficult exercise to do but indeed it is the best thing to ever do. As I studied Jesus’ life, I discovered that service to God is the hallmark of all as it marries side by side service to humanity. Jesus lived all the days of his life to please God, he lived as  a servant serving man, and it made it easier for him to wash his disciples feet though as their grand leader.

The scripture noted that he went from place to place preaching the Gospel of truth. Someone encountered him someday and enquired of his abode but his reply baffled me, ‘Birds of air have nests, foxes have holes but the son of man does not have anywhere to lay his head’ (Matt 8:20).

A life of service according to him is sacrificial. He sacrificed his life on the altar of the will of God by dying on the cross of Calvary for the sin of man, this is rather exceptional. I cannot overemphasize it. I remember when he said he that wants to follow me should forsake his family, take his cross and follow me;(Mark 8:34) this was what he did as our exemplary leader. He forsook his glory as a son to the almighty father being equal to God, he didn’t think it bad to become a man and go through all that he went through.

It is rather ironical that these days, man has become lovers of themselves who do everything selfishly for vain glory. It’s quite unfortunate that Jesus our example is not being followed after; maybe that’s why God said my people serve me with their mouth but their heart is far from me (Matt 15:8).

I look at leaders of today who hold position and I see how they despitefully use their subject yet they sit on their cushion chairs in their respective offices eating, drinking, winning and dinning making merry just like David who couldn’t go with his people to war but in his merry met a harbinger of bad omen which translated to be his waterloo, Bathseba, you know the rest story.

We have lost the meaning of service as children of God and that is why we cannot go to the extra length of Gods people like Paul who travelled far and near to cater for the children of God. Challenges that were beyond his capacity arose as he was beaten in the public, stoned imprisoned etc but he didn’t give up but rather gave up his life for this just cause.

We love our life so much that we muster to ourself, ‘I cannot come and go and die’ when responsibilities are entrusted to our capacities, we unarguably fail at little and that is why up till date greater responsibilities don’t come our ways yet we envy those that appear to get this greater responsibilities. I like the word of God in the holy book which says, ‘He who saves his life would lose it, and he who loses it for my sake would get it back’.

Complacency has soon become the order of the day in our churches today as their leaders play it safe. No more going the extra mile like Paul and Silas whom after they were beaten and warned not to preach still went into the temple to risk their life for the gospel. (Acts 16)

In this contemporary generation of ours, the world would have been better if we do the right things not being expectant or looking for rewards. Many people would dare to ask, ‘What’s in it for me?’, if there is nothing, they won’t get involved. I like the preacher, he said, ‘vanity upon vanity, all is vanity’. (Ecc. 1:2) The cares of this world, Popularity, Sex, Money (PMS) and others are nothing but vanity rather the treasures in heaven cannot match the earthly benefit, no wonder Paul could say I have fought the good fight of faith and there is a crown of life set before me.

Jesus our savior in (Phil 2: 5-11) was said to have a name above all names and we can testify to that. He is the way and the truth, no man goes to the father except through him. In Matt 6:19-20, we have been rather encouraged to store up our treasures in heaven where no moth can destroy and it can only be possible if we live a life of service.

The reward if service cannot be overemphasized. It’s time we be able to give up our lives primarily for a great cause (gospel) (Col 3:23-24). It can only be possible if we have God and love man.

I challenge this generation to pursue service, most times, doing things without expecting a return as it is a necessary pivot for national development.

ICJCF Publicity Unit