“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
– 1 Peter 4:8-11
When you think of the phrase community servant, what are some roles that come to mind? Perhaps you thought of particular jobs like firefighters or EMTs. Maybe you thought of community organizers or people who volunteer much of their time. God calls each of us to serve our communities. He has even planned ways for us to fulfill this calling as Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Where are you active in your community? Are you on a sports team? In a club? Do you participate in online communities? Wherever it is that you spend your time, regardless of the role you play in that place, you have the opportunity to fulfill your vocation as a community servant. God has uniquely gifted you with the skills and interests to be present in these places. What would it look like to use your time and talents in those spaces to glorify God?
As leaders on the field, in the halls, on the stage, or in other parts of your life, fulfilling your calling as a community servant includes several things. The first, as we read in 1 Peter 4, is to use your gifts wisely. Romans 12:16 instructs us to live in harmony with each other. Hebrews 10:24 reminds us to push each other to love others and do good deeds. Jesus tells us in Mark 12:31 that we “shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The list of scriptures that give us wisdom in how we serve in our communities could go on and on- but two things remain clear: we are undoubtedly called to point others to Jesus through service and that, in all of these spaces, God equips us for that service and goes with us in those moments.
Journal
- Where am I doing well at fulfilling my vocation of community servant? Where might I be falling short?
- What stops me from pointing others to Jesus? What steps can I take to move past those?
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for the ways that you have gifted me with talents, interests, and relationships. Please help me to fulfill my vocation as a community servant in all the spaces to which you have called me. Forgive me when I fall short and remind me of your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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