"For David, after he had served God's will and purpose and counsel in his own generation, fell asleep [in death] and was buried among his forefathers, and he did see corruption and undergo putrefaction and dissolution [of the grave]." Acts 13:36 (AMP)
It is not a fact but a truth that every man (male and female alike) is indebted in service to their generation. Living without service is an aberration. Living without service to your generation is tantamount to insignificance and a waste of the creator's investment. Living without paying the debt of service to your generation is been ungrateful to God. Living without rendering service to your generation is living below your potential.
Service could be defined as work done by a group or an individual that benefits another. It could also be an act of help or assistance.
This therefore suggests that, no man is an "absolute" in life; we all need the complementary and synergistic pull to making our world a better place. It also suggests that, you and I have not been designed to compete for power, for position, for fame, for resources, but to become significant in our spheres of service and to explore all we were empowered with.
The following are some of the benefits of service:
1. It is the source of happiness or fulfillment in life.
2. It is the force behind the attraction of required resources (human, finance, and material) for the actualization of purpose.
3. It is generating source of passion and persistence.
4. It brings a man before the "great" in the society.
5. It enhances personal growth and development.
6. It streamlines ones focus; brings objectivity.
7. It gives life a meaning.
8. It makes you accountable to God and to people and
9. It is the crucible for building a future.
Life is so exciting when an individual is in "service." It would interest you to note that a larger percentage of the people in our world today are not actually serving, but whiling a time.
Let's take a look at this interesting research (culled) by Dr. Stuart Bunderson, a professor of organizational behavior at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis (Administrative Science Quarterly, 2009).
"He says, people who feel called to their careers are likely to find their work deeply meaningful. Their personal connection with the job makes even the most trivial tasks feel significant. Often the experience of a calling comes with social benefits as well. Having a sense of calling can affect not only what you do but where you do it. Yet having a calling is a "double-edged sword." If you feel you were born to do something, it's awfully hard to walk away from it.
You put up with sacrifices and difficulties. You are more vulnerable to exploitation, since managers who know you are deeply committed know they can treat you in ways that are less than respectful.
Calling may be more prevalent in some fields than in others. In not yet published work, Bunderson studied business School graduates dating back 30 years. He found those in non profit and health-care settings were more likely to experience a sense of calling than management professionals in other sectors."
The above reveals to us that "service" is a subject that cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, what is the basis of service?
Doing critical analysis of the reference above, it could be depicted that the authentic basis of service in life and work is "purpose."
Purpose refers to what a man has been created to fulfill; the reason for his existence. Purpose is a discovery and not a human-design. It can only be found from the creator; God, through Jesus Christ.
According to Jack Carnfield (a motivational speaker), he simply defined purpose as doing what you love to do, doing what you can do best, and accomplishing your highest result.
Finally, let us consider how to render service?
1. Serve with the sense of accountability to God
2. Serve with the highest level of expertise.
3. Serve with professionalism
4. Serve with the value of excellence
5. Serve with strategic planning
6. Serve with a vision in view
7. Serve with excitement and passion
8. Serve with the intention to please God and not men.
9. Serve with personal evolution
10. Serve with synergy.
11. Serve with the power of the Spirit of God.
12. Serve without reservation
13. Serve with good health
14. Serve with influence
As I conclude this piece, I would like to reemphasize that, the only way to live and die fulfilled is to live in "service." Thank you and God bless.
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