SERVICE

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES

I spent a good portion of my day thinking about service: the service we do unto others, the service others do unto us, and the service others do unto our communities.


It is easy to get caught up in the hustle of our own lives, but when we pause to reflect, we see that service is what knits us together.


Matthew 25:40 says, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." That verse has been stirring in my heart for years.


Jesus did not just suggest service. He made it clear that when we serve others, we are serving Him. It is not about grand gestures or recognition. It is about seeing Christ in the faces of those who are hurting, lonely, or in need.


Service is not always convenient and often requires a sacrifice of time, energy, and resources. However, it can be as simple as a kind word, a home-cooked meal for a sick neighbor, or listening to someone who is struggling.


It can also be the quiet, unseen work of praying for others, sending an encouraging message, or picking up trash in our communities. No act of service is too small in the kingdom of God.


Today, I thought about the people who have served me throughout my life, the ones who have shown up in my most challenging moments, offering a helping hand or a word of comfort.


They may not have realized it, but they were reflecting the love of Christ. And when I think about that, I want to be that for someone else.


If we want to see change in our communities, our families, and the world, we must be willing to serve, not for accolades but out of obedience to Christ. When we love the least among us, we love Him.


Lord, let me not overlook the opportunities to serve. Open my eyes to the needs around me and give me a heart willing to act. May my hands be Your hands, my words be Your words, and my love be a reflection of Yours. Amen.

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