Spiritual Practices: Service

This Fall the whole church will be walking together through a number of weeks introducing and describing Christian “spirituality,” or “Spiritual Practices.” We’re aiming to address questions like: “How do I grow?” and “How do I get close to God?” 

We’re continuing this week with service as a spiritual practice.

Service is at the heart of what it means to follow Jesus. In the life of Jesus we see, if we’re paying attention, that service to God and neighbor is the love of both, applied. This is both who Jesus is and what he does (even now): Indeed “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45), and “he ever lives to make intercession” for those whom he loves. 

To follow Jesus is to follow him in service of God and the world around you. This is at the heart of the New Commandment, which is the vision of the New Testament for the Church’s life together: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35). 

Our vocation, then, as followers of Jesus is to look at the world around us and find ways to serve it—to serve those whom we see in need. This kind of work is “true religion,” St. James teaches us (James 1:27) and it is a way to seek the very face of God. 

Scripture to consider:

• John 13

• Mark 10:45

  
  

Peace,

Danny+