Many have written much more and perhaps considerably better on the topic of serving. Why do we serve? I told my children and my grandchildren, “because we are family”. It is not a chore or a job but a responsibility and an honor to serve one another. We can spiritualize and say it is “because He served us” and throw in all the good scriptures and that is fine, but if you do not see yourself as family it is not going to do anything but be an idol or a millstone about your neck.

The idol part is easy to identify. Many “serve” because they want to look good, they want to be seen. If you have not been called it may be harder than you think. If you have been called and not worked out the arrogance and the pride it will at some point feel empty. I know and I get it. I have been there. If you do not understand the part about family you have a “job” and not a real understanding of the goodness of God and His blessing on you. And at some point perhaps it will rob you of the very reasons you came to God. Peace and joy and knowing Him.

The millstone. Not so easy to identify sometimes. Sorting out what is really a battle and what is what you have hampered yourself with. Sometimes doing it just because “you can” is weightier that understanding the call of God on your life and pursuing that. Jesus said, “my burden is light and my yoke easy.” If it is so hard you are choking you have to ask yourself “whose way am I doing this?”

Why service? I think the simplest reason is because it bless you and it blesses those around you. When I clean a toilet or bring in firewood in our church fellowship, someone else who might not be able to gets the “benefit”. But so do I. I have the knowledge of knowing that I acted a little more like the one who saved me. The one who dwells in me. The one who cares for my soul. I have the knowledge of the fact that I have not only honored my friends, my family, but even those who might not know me or know who “did”what.

Long ago I figured out it was less about the two hours on a Sunday morning and more about the 166 other hours in the week.

Honor and service are simply part of the kingdom. If you are part of the kingdom and empowered by God you will see service as a byproduct and an expression of the King Himself working through you.

I know all about 80/20 Pareto principle that states that 20% of the people do 80% of the work on a project. And I have seen enough proof over the years to recognize that it is “true” but not necessarily truth when we are discussing the Kingdom. Each of us is endowed with the supernatural power, grace and glory of Jesus Christ. We are all super charged, supernatural beings capable of amazing exploits. BUT, if we do not understand, as Sly and The Family Stone pointed out, that, “We are family”. Well, who wins?

We are family. People who made family by the blood of the one who went before us. Jesus.

So, serve or don’t serve, but keep in mind that serving is not for one or two chosen few. It is for each of us. No excuses.

Want to prophesy with the heart of the Lord? Serve.
Want to heal like Jesus did? Serve.
Want to be more like Jesus? Serve.

Family serves one another with honor. Don’t just be in the family, bless the family.

A Family Affair

It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair
It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair

One child grows up to be
Somebody that just loves to learn yeah
Another child grows up to be
Somebody we just love to burn

Mom loves the both of them
You see it’s in the blood, you see it’s in the blood
Both kids are good to Mom
Blood’s thicker than the mud, it’s a family affair

It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair

I’m that newlywed just a year ago
But they’re still checking each other out
And nobody wants to blow
Nobody wants to be left out

You can’t leave ’cause your heart is there
Sure you can’t stay ’cause you been somewhere else
You can’t cry ’cause you’ll look broke down
But you’re cryin’ anyway ’cause you’re all broke down
It’s a family affair

It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair
It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair

It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair
It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair

It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair
It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair
It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair

Songwriters
BRIDGES, CHRISTOPHER BRIAN / FLOYD, KING / COOPER, SHARIEEFAH / BULLOCK, SHELDON / CHAVIS, DERRICK / CONYERS, EARL / CRAWFORD, DARION T. / EPPS, TAUHEED / JOHNSON, SHAWN T. / SANDIMANIE, BOBBY WARDELL JR. / TERRY, PRINCETON / WILSON, ARBIE LEEDESTER SR.

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Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.