Let love be your highest goal

“Let love be your highest goal.” I Corinthians 14:1

The women’s ministry at JPL is very strong. I remember it was also very strong in the church I grew up attending. In one of the biggest churches in the world, a million member church in South Korea, a large majority of the small group leaders are women. I do not know all the cultural and/or spiritual reasons for this, but I wonder if it has to do with motherhood. So many women are involved in humble service for their families. Other than Mother’s Day their service is often taken as matter of fact, but John 13 says Jesus showed the perfected love of God by washing his followers’ feet. This was a menial service done by the household servant if you had one. And Jesus told his disciples if they practiced that kind of love they would be blessed. I would say many women constantly practice this kind of humble service out of love for their children and so are blessed by God just like Jesus said. Although many cultures assign humble service tasks to women, this has nothing to do with gender. Jesus and the 12 disciples were all men. The man Jesus washed the feet of men and told them to follow his example. In the book of Acts it was a delegation of men who were full of the Spirit and wisdom to serve the widows in a food distribution program. The Apostle Paul had great spiritual authority, but in II Thessalonians 2:7 he compared his ministry to a mother caring for her own children. Serving builds the church and saves the lost.

The opportunities for humble service are endless. Church is a great place to find opportunities to serve God and people demonstrating the love of Christ. One of those places to serve is preparing and serving refreshments for the rest of JPL in the ‘Garden of Eatin’ ministry. Dina Reigle leads this cheerful team according to a rotating monthly schedule and is looking for people to join her right now. If we want the servant heart of Christ we will always look for opportunities for service and therefore find many. I loved this week’s quote concerning the power of small kindnesses on a habitual basis – at church, at home, at work and everywhere we go. How would you like to be a light in the world for Christ? You don’t have to be a great preacher, evangelist. You can do it with humble, daily service inside and outside of the church. Do not let these opportunities for spiritual greatness and influence continually float by in life. Seize the service!

In His joy, peace and love – Pastor Steve