Serving From a Full Heart

How can serving from a full heart transform our obedience into a joyful union with God’s divine love?

“Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” 

Luke 17:7-10

---

Serving from a Full Heart Like the Son

In serving Christ selflessly, we share in his own obedience to the Father. As the Suffering Servant descends from heaven to do his Father’s will—his “food” and sustenance (John 4:34)—his disciples do likewise. What greater reward is there than to be the Father’s Son? Being in the heart of the Father as his beloved son or daughter fulfills all desire. One who serves from a full heart lives in the fountain of divine love, in the union of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Yet surprises await the selfless. In the Parable of the Watchful Servants, the Lord lavishes an exuberant feast upon faithful servants who watch for him through the night (Luke 12:35-38). God, who is rich in mercy, fills us to overflowing (Isaiah 25:6).

“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another’s feet.”

John 13:14

Traditional Chinese Translation

《全心服事》
我的主，服事祢本身，
就是報酬（獎勵）了。