There are times that serving is easy. Sometimes we have such an affection for the individual that serving is easy. Sometimes our schedule just happens to be so wide open that serving is easy. Sometimes the way in which we’re serving happens to be something we really enjoy doing anyway. Sometimes, serving is easy.

       But sometimes, it’s hard. Like really hard. Sometimes serving costs us. It can be painful, confusing, embarrassing, or inconvenient. It can cost us time, money, and opportunities. On days like this Sunday, it can cost us a warm spot next to the important Mother’s in our life at church. That’s not easy. Serving this Sunday is hard.

       As followers of Jesus, we’re called to be servants, when it’s easy and when it’s hard. In fact, it’s the times when serving costs us something that we’re the most Christian, the most Christ following. Listen to these two verses. 1 John 3:16, “16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” Philippians 3:10-11, “10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”

       In both of these verses, our walk with Christ is tied to our willingness to serve when it’s hard. We were given the example of serving others when it’s difficult by Jesus himself. If we are going to follow Christ, if we are going to be like Christ, then we too must serve when it’s difficult. We share with him in suffering and in resurrection. Serving when it’s hard is the Jesus way. 

       So thank you for serving this Sunday. I know it’s difficult, but you are helping the church accomplish its mission by giving of yourself for others. There is nothing more Christian, more Christlike, than that. Thank you!