Serving God

by Janet Cassidy

When you think about serving God, what is your vision of service?

Does it seem to you that serving God means squeezing another job into an already too-busy schedule?

Serving God isn’t about burning yourself out. It isn’t about action motivated by guilt or obligation. It comes from a deep realization that every bit of our daily work (and play) should be aimed at serving God.

How do we do that, realistically?

We can begin by putting ourselves at the service of others. As we begin to see God in our daily activities, we will encounter many opportunities to serve. Sometimes our service might be a small sacrifice (that has gone unnoticed); maybe it will be our offer of help, rather than criticism. Maybe we can serve by quietly listening, or humbly admitting when we are wrong. Would it serve God better if I were more patient? More willing to give a little?

Ultimately, serving God is serving each other in love.

The best way to stay focused on serving God is to spend a few quiet moments with God. Prayer is action and prayer feeds action. Even if you don’t feel like praying today, do it anyway. You don’t have to come to prayer with a peaceful heart; it is in prayer that you find it.

Janet Cassidy, columnist and freelance writer is author of Cassidy Comments, a biweekly e-letter. To subscribe, please send an email to cassidycomments@yahoo.com with a subject of "subscribe."
© Spiritual Woman Press, 2005. All rights reserved.