Serve the Lord with Gladness!

Stories of adventure are all around us. It's easy to think life will be exciting after learning to drive, getting married, or reaching a certain point in a career. But maybe at present life seems boring.

If you're a Christian, your life can be an adventure as you live your life for Christ now, regardless of circumstances.

Let's look at a few things we can always do:

1. Be Salt and Light:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)

Even while in prison, Paul and Silas still spread the good news by singing and praying. How could you share the gospel or encourage another believer today?

2. Exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit:

No matter the circumstance, you can be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.

Let's look at three specific commands regarding our attitudes:

a. Don't worry:

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:25-30)

b. Be godly and content:

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)

"...I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11b-13)

c. Rejoice always:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing," (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

Whether or not you are accepted to college, your family is perfect, or you have it all together, you are commanded not to worry but to be content and even rejoice.

If you were thrown in jail for being faithful to Christ and all your plans were messed up, you could still meditate on God's word and grow closer to Him. How about now? Whatever state you're in, you can be content.

3. Give Your Life for Christ:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

How can you be a servant for God today? Maybe it's by doing some great work that's seen by many, but perhaps God has currently given you the mission of honoring your parents, seeking to be faithful and diligent, or spending time reading a Bible story to your siblings.

What about dreams and goals? Surrender those to God and look for how you can serve Him now.

Conclusion:

It's so easy to think we'd be different if our circumstances were different. But if you will surrender your life and be a servant of God—by praying and studying God's word and being a godly child, spouse, student, or missionary (you name it!)—you can be different now!

If you lived in Nazi Germany, do you imagine you'd fight for life and be faithful to God? Today America is a country that murders the unborn, promotes sinful lifestyles, and is turning away from God. What a great time to shine our lights!

If we had financial security, better relationships, better grades, or more future prospects, we imagine we'd be happier. But Christians already have the most important relationship, a promise that God will take care of our needs, and a fulfilling calling as servants of the most high.