Day 18 — Serve with Gladness

“Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs.”

— Psalm 100:2 (BSB)

Have you ever been asked to help with something, and you did it, but with a grumpy face and a lot of sighing? Fine. I’ll unload the dishwasher. Ugh.

Technically, you served. But your heart wasn’t in it.

Psalm 100 says to “serve the LORD with gladness.” Not grumbling. Not complaining. Not sighing. With gladness, joy and a happy heart.

That doesn’t mean you have to love every chore or feel excited about every job. It means you can choose your attitude. Serving God and others can come from a heart that’s glad, because you remember who you’re really serving.

This week, you’ve met women who served in all kinds of ways. Phoebe, who was a great help to many. Priscilla, who opened her home and gently helped others. Dorcas, who used her needle to love widows. Peter’s mother-in-law, who served out of thankfulness. And the widow of Zarephath, who gave even when it cost her. None of them served to get attention. They served because they loved God and people.

Here are some ways to serve with gladness:

• Remember who you’re serving. When you help your family, your friends or your church, you’re really serving God.
• Change your words. Instead of “Do I have to?” try “Sure, I can help!”
• Sing while you work! “Come into His presence with joyful songs.” Music can make chores feel lighter.
• Look for the joy. Notice how your help makes someone’s day better.
• Serve without being asked. It’s much more fun to surprise someone than to be nagged!

And here’s a secret: the more you serve with gladness, the more gladness you’ll feel. Joy grows when it’s given away.

A true story: Ida Scudder grew up in a missionary family in India, and she was sure she didn’t want that life. But one night, three men came knocking at her parents’ door, one after another, each asking for help for his wife, who was very sick while having a baby. Their customs didn’t allow a man to help, and there were no women doctors. That night, all three women died. Ida couldn’t sleep, and by morning she knew God was calling her to serve. She trained as one of the first women doctors of her day, went back to India, and built a hospital and a medical school to train Indian women as doctors and nurses. Thousands of lives were saved. You can read her whole story in Brave for God.

Think about it: What’s a job you usually do with a grumpy attitude? How could you do it with gladness instead?

Try this: Do a chore today with a glad heart. Sing a song while you do it, and do it without being asked!

Dear God, I want to serve You with gladness, not grumbling. Help me remember that when I serve others, I’m serving You. Give me a joyful heart in the little jobs and the big ones. In Jesus’ name, Amen.