Have you ever felt that resistance to serving others in a church ministry? You know it’s a good thing, but the thought of committing to it feels overwhelming. The inertia to start is strong, but somehow, once you take the first step, you find yourself enriched and renewed.
This internal battle is not uncommon. I’ve experienced it too—hesitant to volunteer, fearing the commitment, only to discover that serving brings a deeper sense of joy and purpose.
One story in particular stands out to me.
A Story of Service and Commitment
In 2019, my small group decided to commit to visiting a family of six to provide them with financial assistance vouchers. Our plan was to visit once a month, rotating among our group—three of us girls one month, then two of the guys the next. What began as a structured plan quickly became a transformative journey.
Each time it was my turn to visit, I would feel drained after a long workday and hesitant to head out again. But as we began each visit with prayer, something shifted. Meeting the mother of the family, hearing her share about her challenges and victories in bonding with her six children on limited resources, was humbling.
In fact, she often ended up blessing me more than I felt I could bless her. Her advice on managing her large family gave me wisdom and encouragement for raising my two young children. Over time, we noticed her openness increasing—each visit peeling back another layer of trust and vulnerability. It reminded me that making a difference takes time and consistency.
Serving Purposefully Opens Your Heart
Through this experience, I learned that serving isn’t just about giving—it’s about receiving. When we serve, we open our hearts to others, allowing God to work through us and in us. Each visit to the family taught me to see beyond my own struggles and connect with the needs and stories of others.
As we embrace service, we step closer to being like Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Purposeful service enables us to see people the way Jesus sees them—with compassion, love, and a desire to bring hope.
James 1:27 beautifully reminds us of this calling:
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
When we help those in need—whether it’s through a listening ear, financial aid, or simply showing up—we live out God’s heart for His people.
Your Service Encourages Others
Serving isn’t just a personal journey; it also inspires those around you. Every time someone in my small group stepped up for a visit, it motivated the rest of us to stay faithful. The mother we visited encouraged us too, sharing how our consistency gave her strength and hope.
By serving, you create a ripple effect. Whether you’re mentoring someone, volunteering at an event, or simply being present for a neighbor in need, your actions encourage others to step out of their comfort zones and serve.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 captures this beautifully:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”
When we serve together, we build each other up, and the collective impact becomes greater than anything we could achieve alone.
Facing Inertia with God’s Strength
That initial resistance to serve is like pushing a heavy object—it takes effort to overcome inertia. But once you start, momentum builds, and you’ll find God’s grace meeting you every step of the way.
Philippians 4:13 assures us:
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
When I felt too tired or unmotivated to visit the family after a long day, I leaned on this promise. I asked God for strength and found that He always provided. Each visit left me feeling more renewed and more whole.
Start Small and Stay Faithful
If committing to regular service feels overwhelming, start small. Attend a one-off event or serve alongside someone you trust. Over time, as you see the blessings of serving, you may find that bigger commitments become less daunting.
My small group’s monthly visits reminded me that small, consistent acts of kindness add up over time. The family’s willingness to open up didn’t happen overnight—it took years of showing up. Purposeful service is about staying faithful, trusting that God is working even when the results aren’t immediately visible.
As Jesus said in Acts 20:35:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Becoming More Like Jesus Through Service
Every time you serve, you are stepping closer to Jesus’s example. He saw the broken, the needy, and the hurting, and He made time for them. Purposeful service isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about making room in your heart to love and care for others in practical ways.
When you start serving, you open yourself to the transformation God wants to bring in your life. You begin to see others through His eyes, and your heart softens to His purposes. The joy and fulfillment that come from serving are part of His design to draw you closer to Him.
Serve with Purpose, Reflect God’s Love
Serving purposefully means showing up with a willing heart, trusting God to use your efforts for His glory. It’s not about perfection or having all the answers—it’s about saying “yes” to His call and letting Him do the rest.
Every small act of service, every conversation, every prayer—it all adds up to reflect God’s love to a world in need. And as you serve, you’ll find that you’re not just blessing others—you’re being transformed into the image of Christ.
Questions for Reflection:
- How can you start small to overcome the resistance to serving?
- Who in your life might be encouraged by your example of service?
- What areas of your heart is God calling you to open through service?
