Maybe you love Jesus and you're in church on Sunday, but lately you've wondered if there's supposed to be more. You see real needs around you, and you don't know where to start.
There is more. Jesus didn't save you just so you could sit in a row on Sunday. He saved you to love people. Serving is what that love looks like on a Tuesday afternoon.
The Heart Behind Christian Service
We don't serve to earn God's favor. We serve because we already have it.
Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). The King of heaven washed feet, touched lepers, and broke bread for hungry crowds. That's who we follow, and our hands can carry His love to people today.
Serving is where what you believe on Sunday meets your Monday. And something happens when you do it. You go out to help somebody, and you're the one who comes home changed.
Finding Your Service Sweet Spot
God made you on purpose, and He's given you something to give. "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others" (1 Peter 4:10).
A good place to start is to ask what breaks your heart. Families who can't make ends meet. An older neighbor who hasn't had a visitor in weeks. Kids who need an adult to show up for them. Whatever stirs you is often where God wants to use you.
Don't overlook what you already have. Your job skills, your story, even the hard things you've lived through can help someone else. If you've raised kids, you have something to offer a new mom or dad. If you've come out of addiction, you understand a struggle most people don't. If you're good with numbers, you can help a friend build a budget.
Making Service Sustainable
Serving hard for three months and then burning out doesn't help anyone. Start small, with something that fits the season of life you're in. Even Jesus often went off to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16).
Serve alongside other people. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor" (Ecclesiastes 4:9). The load is lighter when you carry it together.
And keep going back to Jesus. You're not the source of the love you give. He is. When serving starts to feel heavy, it's usually a sign you need time with Him, not a longer to-do list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the right service opportunity?
Start with your church. Ask where help is needed and try something. At Dwelling House, our serve teams are the easiest way in. Outside of church, pay attention to the needs you already notice in your neighborhood, at work, and at school.
What if I don't have much time to give?
Small things count. Bring a meal to a family with a new baby. Write a note to someone who's having a hard time. Give one Saturday to a one-day project. Jesus said even a cup of cold water given to one of His followers won't lose its reward (Matthew 10:42).
How do I involve my children in service?
Pick things they can actually do and understand. Tell them why you're serving and how it connects to Jesus. Then keep doing it together, so serving becomes a normal part of your family's life.
What if I feel inadequate or unqualified?
Most people feel that way at first. God isn't looking for experts. He's looking for willing people, and He gives you what you need as you go. Start with what you can do and learn the rest along the way.
Your Invitation to Serve
Serving isn't a chore. It's a chance to see God at work up close. The more you serve, the more your capacity to love grows. And some people in your life may only see the love of Jesus through you.
If you're ready, join one of our serve teams. Or come to Laundry Love on the second Wednesday of the month at Little Big Load Laundromat on Todd Drive, where we serve our neighbors one load at a time.
There's a place for you, whatever your age or experience. Come serve with us.