“Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13b “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25
In the church, a willing servant sometimes takes on too much. New Christians may want to get involved and sometimes grow so busy that they soon are burned out and wonder where the joy in serving the Lord went. In my younger days, I found it difficult to say “no.” I dove into so much work that I grew overwhelmed. Serving became a chore; it certainly wasn’t joyous.
The Bible doesn’t tell us serving will be easy at all times. It also does not tell us to serve God only as much as it is not overwhelming to us. But we do find a tender example of using wisdom as we decide about serving. We read of Moses whose father-in-law Jethro saw that Moses was taking on too much. “What you are doing is not good. …The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone” (Exodus 18:17-18). He helped Moses be wise about his limitations (see v. 24).
We can pray about our opportunities to serve. We can be at peace stepping into the work or away from it. God will guide us. He will refresh us and show us the joy in serving.
The Bible doesn’t tell us serving will be easy at all times. It also does not tell us to serve God only as much as it is not overwhelming to us. But we do find a tender example of using wisdom as we decide about serving. We read of Moses whose father-in-law Jethro saw that Moses was taking on too much. “What you are doing is not good. …The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone” (Exodus 18:17-18). He helped Moses be wise about his limitations (see v. 24).
We can pray about our opportunities to serve. We can be at peace stepping into the work or away from it. God will guide us. He will refresh us and show us the joy in serving.
Scripture Focus
Exodus 18:13-27
Insight
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep need meet.” (Frederick Buechner, 1982)
Bible In A Year
- Joshua 3-4
- Psalm 98
- Acts 22
