S27P8 – The servant’s heart: understanding the urgency

Gal. 6:9‭-‬10
Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those of the household of faith.

A common response to the death of a loved one is regret for the opportunities we did not seize while that person was with us. The brevity of life and its lack of guarantee are put into perspective. We can turn the tables on this concept and think about our personal bucket lists of things we want to accomplish while we are still here. We understand that there are things we will have the opportunity to do only while we live on Earth. Some dream of climbing Mount Everest or swimming the English channel. Others save for a lifetime just to sail around the world. These are examples of the things we want to do for ourselves while we can. But our Father in heaven desires for us to chase those things which we can do for others for this brief window of time that we get.

Our fruit in this world could be completely different if we focused on doing as much good as we can while we live in this order of things. No one is promised tomorrow. We can look back on the ways we may have served others yesterday and wish that we had not neglected to do so. Or we can decide that from here on out we will take advantage of every opportunity God gives us to serve others. Today’s scripture makes it clear that there is a limited period of time during which we have the opportunity to do good. It could be 20 years or 40 years or 80 years. While we have the opportunity to show Jesus Christ to others through service, and while they are here to be served, we should seize that opportunity. If we are to be persistent and relentless in something, let it be in our good service to others.

There will come a time when we will not need to pray for the sick to be healed. There will come a time when we will not need to feed the hungry. That will be a glorious time once we have entered into a perfect existence in which all needs are forever met. But right now God gives us the unique opportunity of being able to provide for others through service the way He provides for us. We only have a short time to do this. It may feel like it takes great endurance to tirelessly serve, but the reality is that this time is merely a vapor. Let us trust God to give us the strength and stamina to continue doing good at every opportunity He presents to us. Father, let us fulfill this instruction to not tire of doing good, and bring us opportunities to put this into practice.