21st Day Of Lent
Staying Put or Stepping Up
"If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also." John 12:26

Today's devotion is a good reminder of who it is we serve when we volunteer to do so.  The natural tendency is to think first of the organization that benefits from our service.  "I serve as an usher at Our Saviour's."  "I volunteered at the Utah Food Bank."  "I signed up to help with Family Promise."  While that is true, Jesus' words today remind me that we serve and follow Jesus in all that we do.  Various organizations facilitate our service, but it is on behalf of Him that we serve.

I also like the words of promise in this lesson.  "Where I am, there will my servant be also," and, "whoever serves me, the Father will honor."  It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking, "What can I do?"  The problems of hunger in the world or of diseases like malaria seem so overwhelming.  What can one person do?  The Evil One wants us to give up in despair.  But Jesus promises to go before us and be with us in our service.  "The Father" honors those that serve Jesus.  So, we do not give up or give in.  We do our part, wherever and however we are led.  Many people joining together in a worthy cause do make a difference.  Thank you for  "ushering at Our Saviour's."  Thank you for "volunteering at the Utah Food Bank."  Thank you for "signing up to help with Family Promise."  Thank you for the many other ways you serve.  In serving in the ways you do, you are serving our Lord.  He goes before  us.  He honors your service.  You are making a difference.