Day 4 — Serve One Another

“For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.”

— Galatians 5:13 (BSB)

Picture a family dinner. When it’s over, there’s a table full of dirty dishes. One person gets up and starts clearing the table. Everybody else suddenly remembers they have something very important to do in another room.

Sound familiar?

Paul says followers of Jesus have been “called to freedom.” Jesus set us free from sin and from trying to earn God’s love. That’s amazing news! But Paul says not to use that freedom as an excuse to be selfish: “do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh.” The flesh means the selfish part of us that wants its own way.

Instead: “serve one another in love.”

Serving means doing something helpful for someone else, especially something they need, even if you’d rather be doing something else. And the best place to practice serving is at home.

Why? Because home is where it’s hardest! It’s easy to be helpful at a friend’s house, where everyone will think you’re so polite. But at home, with the people who see you every day, it’s easy to be lazy and selfish.

Here are some ways to serve at home:

• Clear the table without being asked.
• Help a younger sibling with their homework or get them a snack.
• Fold the laundry, even if it’s not all yours.
• Bring your mom or dad a glass of water.
• Take out the trash before anyone reminds you.
• Make someone else’s bed as a surprise.

Serving isn’t always fun. But remember who we’re following. Jesus said He “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). The King of the universe knelt down and washed His friends’ feet. When you serve your family, you’re being like Jesus.

And here’s a secret: serving makes a home happier. When everyone is trying to serve each other instead of waiting to be served, it changes the whole feeling of a family.

Think about it: What’s one job at home that you usually try to get out of? What if you did it cheerfully, as a way of serving?

Try this: Be a “secret servant” today. Do three helpful things at home without being asked, and don’t tell anyone you did them.

Dear Jesus, You came to serve, not to be served. Help me use my freedom to serve others in love, especially my family. Take away my selfishness, and give me a cheerful heart to help. In Your name, Amen.