THE JOY OF A READY HEART

The Joy of a Ready Heart - Serving the Lord Wholeheartedly

Service to God is not a burden; it is a blessing. When we began this series of lessons on Preparing Our Hearts for Service, we were reminded that true service begins in the heart, not in thoughts. Before our hands can move, our hearts must be molded by faith, humility, and love.

A ready heart is a humbled heart that has surrendered its own desires to serve for the Lord’s pleasure. A ready heart listens to God’s call and says, “Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8). The Heart Made Ready does not wait for perfect conditions or seek convenience, but it moves forward in obedience. It trusts that when God opens a door, He also provides the strength to walk through it.

From there, we learned the importance of The Mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5–7 teaches, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” True service requires humility, putting others before one’s self, and seeking the good of others, even above personal comfort. When we learn to see others as Christ saw them, our faith begins to mature, and our service takes on new meaning. With compassion, patience, and love, our service will not only reflect Christ but also make an impact on the lives of others.

We also learned that readiness and humility are not enough without putting our faith into action. Hands That Are Willing remind us that “…faith without works is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17). God does not call us to fill pews, but to fill lives with hope, with kindness, and with the truth of God’s Word. The church grows when the faithful move from good intentions to good works. Every act of love, every Bible study taught, every soul encouraged, these are the marks of a working faith.

And now we come to the summit of it all, Serving with a Whole Heart. When we serve joyfully, our work becomes worship. Colossians 3:23 urges, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” Wholehearted service doesn’t measure effort; it is given freely because the heart is full. It finds joy not in being seen, but in knowing the Lord is pleased.

Brethren, when our hearts are ready, our minds humble, and our hands willing, joy overflows. Service becomes more than duty; it becomes delight. Like Barnabas, we can rejoice in encouraging others, knowing our labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

May we each serve with a heart of purpose, finding joy in every opportunity to glorify God and reach the lost. For when we serve with a whole heart, we reflect the heart of Christ Himself—and that is the truest joy of all.

                                                                                                 ~ Casey Clement

>PS. Serve someone with joy this week - send a card, write a letter, visit a shut-in, or help a neighbor in need. Remember, do it “heartily as unto the Lord” (Col. 3:23) because grateful service brings lasting joy and glorifies God through simple, willing hands.