Key Scripture: Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Serve one another humbly in love.

Devotional

A few years ago, someone asked me a question that made me stop and think.

They asked, “What if some of the most spiritual things we do don’t feel spiritual at all?”

At first, that sounded strange. Most of us naturally associate spiritual growth with prayer, Bible study, worship music, church services, or quiet time with God. Those are all important parts of our walk with Christ, so it makes sense that we would think of them first.

But then I started thinking about how Jesus spent much of His time.

Certainly He preached and taught. He spent time in prayer and often withdrew to be alone with His Father. Yet when you read through the Gospels, you also find Him constantly serving people. He noticed those others overlooked. He stopped for interruptions. He took time for individuals who needed compassion, healing, encouragement, or hope.

What stands out to me is that Jesus never seemed to view people as distractions from ministry. Loving people was the ministry.

I think many of us struggle with that.

We may spend an entire day caring for family members, helping coworkers, encouraging friends, checking on someone who is hurting, or meeting needs around us, and then go to bed feeling as though we didn’t do anything particularly meaningful for God.

But what if God sees those moments differently?

What if the phone call you made to encourage someone mattered more than you realized? What if the meal you prepared, the kindness you extended, or the extra patience you showed reflected Christ in ways you’ll never fully know?

One of the beautiful things about serving others is that it shifts our focus away from ourselves. Service reminds us that love is more than a feeling. Love takes action. It looks for opportunities to help, encourage, support, and care for people in practical ways.

When those actions flow from a heart that loves God, they become acts of worship.

Not because the task itself is extraordinary, but because our motivation is to honor Him.

The older I get, the more convinced I become that worship is often found in places we don’t expect. Sometimes it’s found in a church sanctuary. Sometimes it’s found in a kitchen. Sometimes it’s found while sitting beside someone who needs encouragement. Sometimes it’s found in the quiet decision to serve when nobody else notices.

God sees all of it.

And when it is done in love, He receives it as worship.

Heart Check

Have you been overlooking opportunities to worship God through the way you serve others?

Practice Today

• Look for one practical way to encourage or help someone today.
• Ask God to show you a need you can meet.
• Thank Him for every opportunity you have to reflect His love.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the example of Jesus, who showed us what it looks like to love and serve others well. Help me see people the way You see them. Open my eyes to opportunities to serve and remind me that even small acts of love can bring glory to You. May my service flow from a heart that genuinely loves You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.