As the pastor’s daughter, I had the honor to play many roles at our church. Before the congregation would trickle in, our family would set up the pews with the appropriate books, choose the songs for worship, and get the projector ready for Sunday School.
At about 9:45 am, I would sit at the piano bench and help lead songs for praise and worship. Soon after, I moved into teacher mode and taught young children a Bible lesson.
When church service was over, it was clean-up time, making sure the bathrooms looked decent and the books were organized back onto the shelves.
And it certainly wasn’t just me…our entire family worked hard to make sure Sunday service ran smoothly…especially my father.
In those times of serving, it would be so easy to lose focus of why I was doing what I did. While there are certainly expectation for a leader and his family, there were moments I found myself just doing the job…but forgetting the REASON for serving.
Have you ever felt that way? Doing all you can to serve God, but your heart’s just not in it?
King David knew his time on the throne was coming to an end. God had given him a successful reign, but it was time to pass it onto his son, Solomon. In First Chronicles 28, King David gives advice to his son, who is soon to take on the responsibility of kingship and for building the temple of the Lord.
He says, “…acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
I am fascinated by the advice of this king who enjoyed fame, wealth, and wisdom…a “man after God’s own heart”. He could have told his son anything, like…gather all the gold and plunder you can from your enemies…or become a great warrior.…or make yourself famous. Instead he tells his son to serve God wholeheartedly. He knew that if Solomon was WILLING TO SERVE and did it with the right MOTIVE, he would be following God’s will for his life.
When I have asked my kids to do chores around the house, and they do it grudgingly, I see their half-hearted effort. However, when they become excited and we make chores fun, I see how quickly and WELL it gets done.
We do a better job of serving God when we do it wholeheartedly. The next time you are doing something, anything, for God, check yourself: Am I doing this with devotion or am I just half-hearted about this? It may be time for a break and some quiet time with God. You can’t hide from Him…he knows your heart.
-Betsy