Serving with a Full Heart: Maintaining Our Passion in Christian Recovery

Every morning, I wake up and head outside to feed God's creatures a portion of what I have been blessed with each day. Lately though, I have been noticing the feeders becoming emptied much quicker. I contemplate my current situation, wondering "God, how am I going to sustain this lifestyle?" I look over at a feeder, seeing a woodpecker steadily dropping seed to the ground. Aggravation ensues...

As I begin to ponder this, I connect the similar feelings we can begin to develop in our recovery journey. In the recovery ministry, I have occasionally developed a sour taste watching others take and never develop into a healthy person with a heart so full of gratitude that they desire to want to begin pouring back into others. I wonder about the failings of the ministry in these moments. I wonder of my own developmental failings as well.

Having seen others in various places of church community turn sour over heavy burden of ministry, at times even leading to their departure from the community; I ask myself how do I prevent myself from becoming one of those folks? That answer lies in keeping our grateful servant heart full.

Understanding the Servant Heart

A servant heart is marked by the desire to selflessly serve others. We learn this attitude by looking at the life of Jesus Christ, seeing this in His teachings and actions. In Philippians 2:3-4, the Apostle Paul encourages us, stating, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

Recovery is best approached with a focus on serving others.

The Biblical Foundation of Service

The Bible offers numerous examples of servant leadership. Jesus demonstrated this through His life, especially when He washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:1-17). This act teaches us that true greatness comes from humility and service, rather than from power or status.

Reading Scripture daily as a practice in our recovery allows the Word of God to transform how we think, act, and interact with others.

The Power of Community in Recovery

A heart rooted in biblical principles produces a sense of community essential for recovery. 1Thessalonians 5:11 states, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Building community through service creates a supportive space where individuals can share experiences, motivate one another, and hold each other accountable. This shared effort enriches the recovery experience and proves that we are not alone on this journey.

Ways to Cultivate a Servant Heart

As we begin maturing in our Christian walk, we need to consider how we might develop a servant heart attitude. If we start small, we may see opportunities along our daily lives in our communities. We may hear of a volunteering opportunity from our church announcements. Maybe just recognizing the needs of one of our neighbors close by. Recognizing and giving thanks for ways that we have been served helps to develop our spirit of gratitude, compelling us to serve others.

We do have to be conscious of our potential to burn out while serving others. We have to carefully consider setting some limitations on our service commitments. it is essential to balance our acts of giving to others while also nurturing our own well-being. Reminding ourselves of Jesus's example in Luke 5:16 can sustain our ability to serve others well.

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

(Luke 5:16)

Prayer plays a significant role in cultivating a servant heart. It allows you to seek guidance, strength, and wisdom from God as you serve others. James 1:5 encourages us to ask God for wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Before engaging in acts of service, take the time to pray for direction. Ask God to help you see others through His eyes, with love and compassion.

I am reminded of a sermon my preacher taught using an empty cup and a pitcher full of water. When we are receptive to the Holy Spirit, we become that empty cup. God pours out into us. As we continue to receive his blessings and love, we fill until we begin spilling out onto the world around us. That is the significance we have as believers in this world. Best part of that is, God never stops pouring out on us so we in turn continue spilling onto the those around us.

Building Resilience Through Service

Setbacks are common in recovery, making resilience crucial. Engaging in service can shift your perspective from self-pity to purpose. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

By embracing a servant heart, we will not only find fulfillment from helping others but also reinforce our commitment to recovery. Every act of service will remind us with the positive impact on community and purpose.

A Heart of Service

So we are called to be stewards, to stand apart in this world embodying servanthood. We ought to reflect Christ's love and humility. If we ground ourselves in biblical truth, actively pursuing service, we will nurture our servant heart. As we embrace the mission of serving others as a vital expression of our recovery and faith, we will make a significant impact on our communities. God's love to the world can be reflected through you and me. Let's encourage one another to live out our recovery and faith through service, pouring out all the abundant love that God has filled our hearts with.

The greatest among you will be your servant

(Matthew 23:11)