Week 10 | Wednesday

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:12-18

Serve. Why? Because you get to, in the name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, be a sign of greater things that await those who will come to believe in Jesus. How? Using the profession, passion, and/or personality Jesus gave you.

In what ways can you serve, then, is the last question to answer. That's different for everyone. It would be a mistake to provide a catalog of options. This isn't a flea market where you walk from booth to booth, looking for something you like and are willing to invest in. This is becoming more like Jesus, who came to serve (Luke 22:27). He didn't just tie a tunic around his waist, pick up a basin of water, and wash his disciples' feet. Through that act of service, he showed them what it looks like to forget what the culture says about who should do what. Instead, see and seize opportunities to humble yourself to lift someone else up. After Jesus did this simple act of service, he was arrested, tried, beaten, mocked, and crucified. He humbled himself to death on a cross to serve us in a way we could never repay.

Our proper response is to see and seize opportunities to serve others. How do we do that? Pray two simple prayers. First, ask God to open your eyes to opportunities to serve others in Jesus' name, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and to the glory of God. Then, pray for the courage and conviction to follow through. A chance to serve is only as good as our follow-through. I can't count on my fingers and toes the number of times God has answered my prayer for opportunities, only for me to chicken out or lack the intentionality to follow through.

Maybe God will show you opportunities at church. Awesome! Perhaps He will show you ways to serve your family at home. Sweet! Maybe it will be at school or work. Maybe with your literal neighbor. It could be some random person on the street or at the store. Don't fall into the trap of praying for one specific kind of serving opportunity. Just pray this: "God, show me opportunities to serve others today in Jesus' name, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so others can feel your love through me. God, convict me to follow through and the conviction to take advantage of the opportunities you give me. Amen."

Maybe those words sound just like your words when you pray to God. Probably not, though. Take that idea and rewrite it in your own words. Then, commit this prayer in your words to memory and start praying it every day. You will be blown away by how God shows up!