Articles
Love, Serve, and Care
Do you love what you do? When we love what we do, challenges seem small, adversity is a nuisance, and we overlook rejection. However, if we don’t love what we do, challenges become unconquerable mountains, adversity an overwhelming fear, and rejection a statement of our self-worth. All obstacles seem great. The key is for us to do what we love and love what we do. We must be looking, though.
Love is the greatest mark between success and failure. How often do we complain? How often do we criticize? How often do we find fault? Love, on the other hand, overlooks a multitude of faults. Love is what separates the good from the great. Good teachers know their lessons plans. Great teachers love their students. Good coaches know the X’s and O’s, but great coaches know and love their players. The rabbis knew the law, sort of, but Jesus knew and loved His creation.
The reason that “love is the greatest of all” is because there is greatness built into love (1Cor. 13:13).
When we love, we serve. Serving is love in action. Love moved Jesus to wash feet, then to say, “Happy are you if you do these things.” He did not say happy are you if you know these things. In their selfishness, the disciples were arguing over who is the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus showed them the one who serves out of love will be the greatest. Great leaders do not succeed because they are great. They succeed because they bring out greatness in others. That is what Jesus did with His disciples, and what He does for us. We were at our worst, enemies, but His love moves us to be like Him, the greatest (Romans 5:8).
Now notice that when we love we serve, and when we serve we care. If a business focuses only on growing the business, there will be frustration. But if the business focuses on love, serving, and caring, business will grow exponentially. I wonder, have we entertained far too many evangelistic programs instead of spending time on love, serving, and caring about the people we want to bring to Christ?
When we love, care, and serve, we not only change our heart and mind, but we also change the hearts and minds of others. That sounds simple, but it isn’t easy. It’s easy to run in the broad way and it is hard to walk the narrow way. It’s exciting to focus on outcomes, but focusing on the process requires self-discipline. Numbers are exciting; people are hard work.
The path to success is to do what you love, serve others, and show you care. If you and I do this day in and day out, we will have a great impact on the generation we serve and leave a great legacy–one person at a time. In the process not only will we be successful, but we’ll also help others become successful.
