Serving others isn’t always easy. In fact, often it’s hard. It’s rarely the thing we want to do and usually there’s something else we’d rather be doing instead. Serving others isn’t always easy.

     Even as the Bible commands us to love and serve others, it acknowledges it isn’t easy. Paul calls it a burden in Galatians 6:2, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Sometimes, serving is a joy. But often, when we’d rather be doing something else, when we’d rather be sitting in the pew and enjoying the worship music than wrestling babies or cleaning coffee pots, it can be a burden. It’s ok to feel like it’s a burden. 

     In fact, serving others, not only when it’s easy and fits into your life neatly but especially when it’s difficult, brings you closer to Christ. Peter thought so. 1 Peter 4:13, “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” This is a pretty common theme throughout the New Testament. When you suffer for the Gospel, for the sake of others, in service or doing good, when it’s a burden but you do it anyway, you are imitating Christ.

     This Sunday, you will be one of the people at church that is closest to Christ. When you, instead of talking to your friends, are greeting strangers at the door, or when you are helping the kids worship in FCC Kids instead of sitting with your family in church, you look more like Christ than the rest of us. In fact, all of us sitting in church should be there to resupply so we can go and do what you’re doing. The goal is you, serving others, even when it’s a burden. Thank you so much for your service. Thank you so much for your willingness to be Jesus to our church community. You rock!