“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.” ~Romans 12:1

Think very carefully about the times you have completely abandoned yourself into some act of service for others in the name of Jesus. Think about the times you’ve totally given yourself to God in some act of kindness or mercy.

Think about the joy you feel as you mentor that young mother at CareNet or as you walk a family of five through the pantry at Green Tag. Think about the way you experience the mercy of God as you hand a new toy to a seven-year-old girl who’s never had one before.

Think about the new life you feel as you pray with your Small Group, the way you bond with your Lord and your Christian brothers and sisters and the ones for whom you pray.

Think about sacking groceries at Loaves and Fishes, visiting a friend about to go into surgery at the hospital, delivering a casserole to the family who just lost a loved one. Remember the fullness of life you discovered in that offering. Remember how it feels to put to death your own needs and fears and find a source of peaceful and joyful existence in God. It’s unexplainable.

Scripture calls us to remember those times and to be even more willing to make that total offering, that holy sacrifice, over and over again. That is our act of worship. It’s our act of service that, by the grace of God, he makes holy and pleasing.

Think about those times. Remember and repeat. And find real joy and peace in your Lord.

Peace,

Allan