Opportunities For Service

I have glorified You on the earth.  I have finished the work

 which You have given Me to do

 (John 17:4)

Hours before Jesus’ arrest, trial, and death, He spoke these words to His Heavenly Father.  Reading them now I wonder if, when I am facing my last days on Earth, I will be able in all honesty, to say them to Him.  It is a sobering thought.

God has plans for what He wants each of His children to accomplish during their lifetime.  Generally speaking, He does not reveal them all at once.  It is as we are living day-to-day, He presents opportunities for service.  Whether or not we recognize such occasions depends on how closely we are in communication with Him through prayer and study of His Word.

Often, caught up in the whirlwind of daily life, we fail to recognize His urging.  It may be as simple as sending a card of encouragement to someone going through a difficult time; stopping to converse with someone when we are shopping; holding open a door; sharing a smile, a hug, or a thank you. Just small gestures that take only a few minutes of our time but may make a world of difference to someone who is lonely, hurting or in sorrow.

We cannot go back and do the things we failed to do in our yesterdays.  Nor can we yet do much about opportunities that may present themselves in days ahead.  But today we can ask the Lord to open our eyes to occasions of service as they present themselves, and to make us willing to carry out His instructions to the best of our ability.

I must work the works of Him Who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work

 (John 9:4)

                               Open my eyes, Lord, and help me to see
                               occasions of service You offer to me.
                               Let me not wait just for big things to do,
                               but having my life yielded over to You
                               always be ready in each circumstance
                               to give what I have someone’s life to enhance.
                               It’s You I am serving, and You Who must bless
                               if my meager efforts are to be a success.
                               What You have given is all that You ask,
                               and a genuine love to accompany each task.
                              You’ve promised to honor each thing that I do,
                               as long as I do it as if were to You.
                               Open my eyes, Lord, and help me to see
                               occasions of service You’re offering to me.