Today's Devotional Thought
October 23, 2012 by Rachel Piferi
Serve With All Your Heart
Every now and then, I like to go to the McDonald's in town with my laptop and work. I love their fruit parfaits and free internet and could sit for hours there writing.
Every morning that I go, the same young girl greets me to take my order. She is a sweet girl in her early twenties and the first time I met her, I took notice of her manners and hospitality. This morning when I went there was an elderly couple ahead of me in line. She greeted them with her usual sweet welcome. And as she said her name, I watched the couple struggle with deciding what they wanted. She very patiently waited and then offered suggestions and grace as they decided. She smiled as she handed them their food and watched as they walked feebly to the drink stand.
Then it was my turn in line. With the same smile and hospitality, she took my order and wished me a good day.
As I walked away, I could not stop thinking about her sweet attention to that older couple and how genuine her service has been each time I have been in there. I thought of Paul's words in both Colossians and Ephesians to work hard in all things, with all your heart as if working for the Lord. We read in Colossians, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Colossians 3:23) and similarly in Ephesians, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men" (Ephesians 6:7).
This young girl has exemplified, in my experience with her, those sentiments of Paul. I don't know if she is a follower of Jesus or not, but she certainly demonstrates the love and grace and hospitality of a believer. Someday soon, I may just ask her. And, I plan to thank her for her kind service.
Dear friends, does your work demonstrate that you love Jesus? No matter what you are doing, do you work hard, with all your heart, as if working for the Lord? Do you treat others with love and compassion and grace as you work?
Today, I urge you to approach your work with the mindset that Paul describes. A mindset of working like you are serving the Lord and not man. And like this young girl at McDonald's truly serve others in love.
December