Choose to Serve

The story’s title captured my attention: “Love Means Reporting Back to Duty.” Written several years ago, the article told the story of Captain David Rozelle, who lost a part of his leg in battle in Iraq. He wasn’t sure how his life was going to work out. Still, after a year of surgeries and rehabilitation and being fitted and trained with a prosthetic foot and ankle, he was declared “fit for duty.” He didn’t hesitate for even a moment – he immediately began the process of going back to active duty by visiting other veterans who had lost limbs in battle. He encouraged them to gain the treatments and training that would allow them to get back to life and enjoyed helping them in any way he could. After about a year of this, though, he knew it was time for him to get back into battle. When asked why he would do this again, exposing himself to the risks of battle, he said, “It is my duty. By accepting command, I knew that I would eventually return to Iraq. I am smarter, stronger, and more ready to help create freedom for the Iraqi people.”

 

In other words, he wanted to get back to serving his country and the needs of the Iraqi people!

 

Captain Rozelle demonstrates what we, the Christians, call a “servant spirit.” A servant spirit is the driving force within us that leads us to serve others in need simply because that is what God wants us to do. No one must force or manipulate us to make sacrifices and do what may be unpleasant tasks. We follow the God who calls us into service out of love for Him and those around us!

           

In the Old Testament is the story of Joshua, who led the Hebrew people after Moses’ death. He led them to take the promised land and saw God work in many ways for many years. 

 

He was convinced their lives would be best if they followed Him! So, before he retired, he spoke to his people about service. Here are his famous words:  “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 

 

(Joshua 24:15) A life of service was the only way for him!

           

We who follow Jesus understand that God calls each of us into a life of service. Whether in a foreign land or our neighbor’s yard, God wants us to care for those around us and give of ourselves to help them – no matter what! 

 

A life of faith – is a life of service!

 

Let us all take our commitments seriously. Let us take up the mantle of service and show our faith and devotion to God as we serve those in need daily.

  

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Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.