The Joy of Serving God

The heart clings to many affections which scatter its attention away from God. God is the source of all our joys. To set the heart on God alone is to love Him above the earthly affections which draw the heart away from Him. To love God is to serve Him. In serving Him, the heart is freed to taste the true joy which flows from eternal life.

"Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour." (John 12.24-26)

Purest Joy

The purest form of joy is found,
In humble service to the Lord:
In Him, eternal joys abound;
From Him, fulfillment is outpoured.

All other joys yield vanity:
Wealth and prestige shackle the heart;
Attachments breed idolatry,
Which drives the soul and God apart.

The heart which serves Him in all things,
With a gentle humility,
Stays with Him in whate'er life brings --
The servant knows true liberty.

To not serve is to turn away:
Dulled and blinded to what is right;
With heart scattered, to further stray
From God -- extinguishing the light.

Uproot affections at their source;
Serve God alone and stay the course.

"You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16.11)

Lord, may all my joys find their source in You, that I may know life's fullness in serving You all my days. Amen.