Gotta serve somebody

Businesses spend considerable resources getting as close to their customers as possible. Most consumer surveys include one key question -- “How’s our service?” -- to which respondents more often submit negative complaints rather than positive compliments. No matter our chosen occupation, we are all engaged in the Service industry. Our sovereign God devised a Master Plan and desires mankind, regardless of human flaws, short-comings and insecurities (hey, nobody’s perfect… with one notable exception in Jesus Christ), to execute accordingly. In Moses, you see a man who presented every possible excuse for not accepting the Lord’s calling, yet accomplished great things in service to Israel through faith, obedience, prayer and perseverance (1 Samuel 12:24). The decision of who to serve, however, has only two outcomes – either we serve the Creator or we serve ourselves. One choice yields blessings, abundant joy and eternal life, the other temporal comfort with no long-term benefit. Ultimately, we will serve somebody and be evaluated for the quality of our service (Hebrews 6:10). This life was not meant to be consumed cafeteria-style, where you pick and choose only what you prefer or what suits your personal taste. After all, things do happen and best-laid plans are often interrupted. While the decision to serve rests with us (Joshua 24:15), we can rest assured that God has already prepared our hearts to help others and given us the special abilities necessary to satisfy our “customers”: those who are truly in need.