“If anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.” 1 Peter 4:11

Lord God, You have really high expectations for me. You tell me exactly how you want me to behave and how you want me to serve my neighbor. Jesus, in your Sermon from the Mount, you tell me to turn the other cheek, to love your enemies, to give your clock and the shirt off your back to others, even to go the extra mile in service to other people. The bar is high and sometimes I don’t even want to do it. More than that, I don’t have the strength in me to give and to give and to give like you ask. My cup is empty and my strength dries up. Lord God, give me strength to keep on servicing. Fill up my cup by your Spirit so that I can serve other people day after day, time after time. Create a steadfast spirit in me and renew me daily. Satisfy me with your unfailing love. And give me your strength so that day after day, hour after hour, I can serve and give and love. Amen.

Our service to other people is neither for ourselves nor from ourselves. Our service is for our neighbor. Our service (and our strength for service) is from God.