WILLING HEARTS-WORKING HANDS

Willing Hearts, Working Hands

 One of the great themes that runs through Scripture is the connection between a thankful heart and a life of willing, active service. Gratitude is more than a feeling. It is a force that shapes our decisions, our priorities, and our actions. When the heart is full of thanksgiving, the hands naturally become ready to serve.

 The apostle Paul writes, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23). A willing heart does not ask, “How little can I do?” but rather, “How can I honor God with all that I am?” True service begins not in the hands, but in the heart transformed by the goodness of God. James reminds us that faith cannot remain idle: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). Faith that is alive moves; faith that is grateful acts; faith that remembers Calvary cannot sit still while souls are lost or needs go unmet. A working faith is a thankful faith.

 Gratitude has always been the foundation of willing service. David said, “Serve the LORD with gladness” (Psalm 100:2). Gladness grows in the soil of gratitude. When we remember the mercy, patience, and lovingkindness of God, our hearts become eager to serve rather than reluctant. We serve because we are thankful, not because we are forced. Think of the Christians in Macedonia, whom Paul described in 2 Corinthians 8. They were poor, afflicted, and pressed beyond measure, yet he said they “first gave their own selves to the Lord” (v. 5). Their hands were open because their hearts were given fully to Christ. Their generosity came from gratitude, not abundance.

 The Lord has always looked upon the heart before the hand. In Exodus 35, when the tabernacle was being built, the Bible repeatedly says the people gave and worked “every one whose heart stirred him up” and “every one whom his spirit made willing” (Exodus 35:21, 26). God does not ask for perfect ability, but willing availability. As we consider our own service to the Lord, we must ask ourselves, “Is my heart willing? Are my hands working?” Not out of duty, but out of gratitude for everything that God has done. Paul wrote, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). The gift of Jesus Christ Himself, the sacrifice that He made for us, ought to motivate us to labor, love, and serve Him with joy and thanksgiving.

 Brethren, it is my prayer that our hearts be so filled with gratitude that our hands cannot help but work for the Lord. And, may we be a people whose faith is visible, whose love is active, and whose service comes from thankful hearts that praise God.

                                                                                                ~ Casey Clement

 >PS. This week, take every opportunity to commit yourself to serving the Lord. One great way to start is to sign up to serve on one or more of the sign-up sheets in the foyer. Though it may seem small, you will not only be helping the congregation but also serving the Lord.