Do you long to figure out how to serve the Lord with joy? Do you want to embrace new ways to do this? If so, this article has the answers you need. It’s easy to get discouraged when working for the Big Guy. Our reward is often in the afterlife, so we don’t see it immediately.
That’s no reason to deny that there are parts of your service to God that you enjoy. Something drew you toward this line of work in the first place. As you look at the pros and cons of serving the Lord, think about how much each one affects you.
Perhaps, some of the pros on your list of why you serve the Lord make you smile from ear to ear. Doesn’t that outweigh the con of driving in traffic to embrace your calling? Each person has a different journey. As you examine the one you are on, don’t forget to talk to God about it.
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How to Serve the Lord with Joy
Embrace these ways to serve the Lord with joy. Learn about new ways to serve our Creator with gladness and not resentment because you do not enjoy the calling that you were chosen for.
#1. Serve with gratitude.
Before you start a new day, be sure to embrace thanksgiving. It can make a huge difference! Think about the many reasons that you started doing the work for the Lord that you are doing. What was your calling when you were a babe in Christ? Motivate yourself by looking back!
#2. You are blessed to serve the Lord.
Many Christians in the world feel as if they do not have time for God. They work long hours at jobs they don’t particularly enjoy, and they wish they could be in your shoes – someone blessed to have a job where you serve the Lord all day long. The grass is always greener, right?
#3. You are an example to others and likely inspire them.
As you walk in the path of your purpose as given by God, you will soon discover that others find you to be a great example – someone they want to follow or be similar to. This can be flattering, but that isn’t the point. You are an inspiration to those who don’t know God well.
Over time, you might see that they make more time for our LORD because they see all the ways you have found time for Him. For example, if you spend 6 hours studying the Bible, maybe they will start a Bible reading plan as an effort to get even a fraction as close as you are to the Word.
#4. Think of how you are using your time (wisely).
You get to use your time in a way that pleases and serves God. How great is that? I mean, you could goof off watching television all day or talking on the phone with friends. There’s nothing spiritually wrong with that, but is that the best way to spend your time?
Instead, you’ve found a way to spend your time wisely. Proverbs repeats the importance of wisdom over everything in this world. With wisdom, you make good choices, ones that please God. To have wisdom, you must spend more time with God. Keep drawing near to Him.
#5. You have found your calling or purpose.
So many people long to find their calling or purpose. They want to know how to serve God, according to His will, not their own. This longing can cause discontentment if they look for the answers in the wrong places. In fact, some people spend their entire lives trying to find it.
Now, look at you. You found your calling or purpose. You know where God wants you and are aware of the talents, gifts, and other characteristics God has blessed you with so that you can joyfully serve Him. After all, is there a better way to experience joy in the Lord than with service?
#6. It is extremely rewarding.
You’ll get the warm fuzzies when you serve the Lord. Those moments when you are working at a church yard sale or handing out food at the church’s food bank, you will feel warm and full of joy, especially when you see the gratitude on someone’s face who is very much in need.
#7. This is the key to a satisfying life.
What is the key to satisfaction? It can often be found in what makes you happy or joyful. Think about a moment when you truly felt satisfied. You were probably doing something well. That usually means that you were using the gifts and talents that God gave you.
When you embrace your spiritual gifts and talents, you are likely doing the calling that God wanted you to find. Your current position in serving the Lord gives you confidence and strength because you can do it well with your gifts and talents. That breeds complete satisfaction.
How to Serve the Lord with Gladness
If you long to serve the Lord with joy, this section will help you get on the right track. Where do you struggle? Do you have doubts about what you were called by God to do? Think about these things, and pray diligently to discover newfound motivation and understanding.
Pray first.
Talking to God about what you are doing next is a powerful habit to embrace. If you have found yourself in moments when you question what God has called you to do, talk to Him about it. Ask Him to please reveal to you what you need to do to discover a new understanding.
Telling him of your concerns over your calling or purpose can also provide you with motivation. Think about people who write in a diary. Usually, it is meant for their purposes only, but like speaking with a counselor, getting your thoughts and feelings on paper can be therapeutic.
Find something you enjoy doing.
If you are just starting out and want to know what your calling is, you can often start off on the right foot by just doing things you enjoy. Maybe you are a yarn enthusiast. Did you know there are great charities that do the work of the Lord that allow you to knit and crochet?
What if you are a skilled author or an eager writer just starting out? Well, you could write many books that would encourage other Christians, start a spiritual blog, or even just write the church’s newsletter or announcement sheets that are handed out on Sunday morning at church.
If you love to interact with others, consider being a greeter at church or starting a YouTube channel, where you can teach others what the Word of God means or how to study the Bible effectively. Look at where your strengths lie, and you will find where God has led you.
Remember your purpose or calling from God.
If you are feeling that you are in a bit of a slump, what about reading your diary entries, journal notes, or first blog posts from when you discovered your calling. Have you thought deeply about your calling recently? Have you thanked God for it? What about asking Him to revitalize you?
As you remember why you work for the Lord, you will remember your passion at the time. Most people do not go into a job in ministry without a sense of enthusiasm. In fact, they are so eager to get started, they are ON FIRE for their newfound purpose!
Consider taking classes that focus on the job duties required in your ministry that you do not understand well. Many seminary schools offer classes for free. Additionally, your church might be willing to pay for you to take specific classes that will help you with your calling.
Delight in what you are doing.
Aim to see the good. Make a chart. Basically, list the good and bad things that come with what you do. Do you feel there are reasons to quit? Write them down. Pray about them. Explain why they would be beneficial to your life. If they outweigh your joy, reevaluate things.
Make a gratitude list. Find all the reasons that you are filled with joy each day to work for the Lord. I was once encouraged to make a list of 1,000 things to be grateful for. It really got me past the basic, normal things I would typically list (my family, my faith, my relationship with God).
Smile.
Once you’ve made your gratitude list, think of all the things on that list that made you smile when you read them. You could even number each of the 1,000 items in an effort to determine how much joy they bring. Say that 1 is a little joy and 10 is a huge smile on your face.
When you serve the Lord, smile. Smiling is contagious. You will see that others will start smiling in the presence of the Lord, even if they do not feel like it or if the circumstances they are living with are not favorable. Soon, you will see many people smile without much effort on your part!
Conclusion
Many people find difficulties in serving the Lord. If you have a job in which you serve the Lord regularly, look for the joy in it. Instead of being a sourpuss day after day, think about ways you can serve the Lord with joy! If this article helped you, please share it with others in service.
