Serving God with Joy and Gladness

I’ve been serving God for over 20 years, since returning from Belize, Central America, to Malaysia. Along the way, I’ve served in children’s ministry, discipleship, evangelism, missions, pastoral care, and community outreach – each with its own ups and downs. Yet, through it all, I’ve found joy in serving because ultimately, it is Christ whom I serve.

Along the journey, I’ve reflected on four important questions about serving: “Who am I serving?”, “Why should I serve?”, “How do I serve?”, and “What blessings will I receive?” Let’s address them in this article!

1. Who am I serving?

The world is filled with different kinds of attractions, short videos, movies after movies, text messages which demand our responses, and the busyness of ministering to one another in churches, church gatherings, and other church fellowships.

Atheists do not believe there is a God. Different religions believe in their own gods. I am a Christian. I worship the Triune God. But do I know the truth of the Triune God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? I was wondering whom, why, what, and where am I serving?

God has placed these questions in my heart when He called me to missions work previously and now in my local church. In my service, I have come to realise that the three Persons in the Triune Godhead have an eternal relationship with one another which is illustrated by the “Shield of the Trinity.”

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in perfect unity as they work together in complete harmony to create, redeem and serve (save) humanity. These are written in Romans 1:1-4, 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 14:10 and Colossians 2:2-3.

In Christ, the mystery of God has been revealed, and He has given us the truth of the identity of God. God has opened my mind and heart to serve Him in order to learn from Jesus who reveals the truth of the Triune God. Without knowing the true identity of God, I would not know who I’m serving.

2. Why should I serve?

The Lord Jesus has said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). He is the King of kings who became human to serve, die and be resurrected for all our sins. That is the reason I serve: to follow Jesus’ example, who is always about His Father’s work (Luke 2:49). As a child of God, I’m therefore an heir of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17), and I, too go about doing the Father’s work.

Another verse that touches me is from the story in 1 Samuel 3, so that wherever and whenever I hear God’s call, I will answer “Here I am” as how Samuel did. The Old Testament prophet had set an example for a weak disciple of Christ like me.

Yet, not every request from elders or pastors is necessarily a calling from God to which I should answer “Here I am.” I will wait, go into my closet to ask my Lord Jesus, “Lord, is this Your calling?” I will be quiet before God until He gives me the peace and joy in my heart before I answer, “Here I am.”

Also, I will check with my family and make sure that the time I set aside for them is protected. I’m not to forget my important role as wife and mother – the main role God has appointed for me. It’s a sacred position for which I’m accountable to the Lord, prior to other ministries He may call me to.

In this area, I cling to Proverbs 14:1a, “The wise woman builds her house,” and Titus 2:4-5: to love my husband and children, to manage my household affairs well, to have self-control and to serve God with pure intentions.

3. How do I serve?

Many of my friends have asked, “Who is a good man?” No one really knows, until the person in question is able to naturally channel God’s love to the people and places that God has called them to.

Throughout my lifetime serving the Lord, his Divine love has indwelt my inner being, transforming my whole self. This is where the Holy Spirit replaces my sinful nature like anger, hatred, and impatience with God’s love and goodness, so that I may serve with Christ’s joy and peace.

One way of cultivating this transformation is through spending time with God in the “secret place” (Psalm 91:1, NKJV). This is where I talk with God like a daughter talking with her loving Father. I also worship, sing, and talk with God while I am driving, doing my chores, and walking in my little garden attending to the flowers or clearing the weeds. Here, I’m meditating on His words and enjoying my moments with Him.

Before any sisters come to see me for prayer or healing due to their deep hurts, I will enter the closet again to fast and pray, as it is only with God that all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Through this spiritual practice, God opens my heart, mind, eyes, and ears to see Him and hear His directions as I listen to the person expressing their hurts and tears.

4. What blessings will I receive?

As we serve God and refresh others, the Bible promises that we will be blessed in return. Let me share four Bible verses with you, even as I pray that you will find true joy in serving the Lord:

• “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
• “If you extend your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.” – Isaiah 58:10 (NKJV)
• “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” – Hebrews 6:10
• “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

What a joy it is to serve God! As I end this article, let me say a prayer a blessing over you that you may continue to serve Him with faithfulness, joy and gladness. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). Amen and Amen!

About the Author

Louise Lee is a homemaker. She is married and has two sons. A small group leader and a disciple course facilitator of a Methodist church in Kuching, Sarawak, she is also active in comforting and helping those in need of counselling.

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