Have you ever given an encouraging word to someone and noticed it lifted their spirit but you did not even get a smile in return?  Or maybe you served in a ministry but did not even get recognized for your outstanding service.  As a result, you felt discouraged or irritated.

Dictionary.com defines “expectation” as “the act or state of looking forward or anticipating.”  You felt the way you did because you were expecting a particular reward from a person for your good word or deed?  But we are admonished to let our service be all in the name of God (Colossians 3:17).  Our intent in serving reflects the condition of our heart, which is what God uses to determine how He rewards us (Jeremiah 17:10).

Many veterans serve by getting in harm’s way, not necessarily for the benefits, but primarily for their love of country.  Such an example is documented on the Operation Homefront website.   Army National Guard veteran, Specialist Keelan Southerland was serving in Iraq with a mission to collect and distribute supplies to other service members stationed there.  One day Southerland was traveling in a convoy of vehicles to deliver critical supplies when his truck was hit by an enemy rocket.  The blast sent him soaring into the air.  He suffered a broken back, loss of hearing and blindness because of a laser from a weapon that focused in his eyes.  Also, his vehicle was destroyed.  He was flown back to America and hospitalized in San Antonio and with his wife at his side, spent two years slowly recovering from the multiple spinal surgeries he underwent.  His home is in Spokane, Washington and through the Operation Homefront program he was awarded a free home in Spokane.  When Southerland signed up for the military he understood the benefits as well as the potential disasters, but his intent to be of service outweighed either of them.

When you serve, check your intent.  Release the expectations and be focused on doing well for in the right season you will benefit, if you do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

 

Daily we get the opportunity to serve

In word and deed to even those who touch a nerve

But the tendency exists to want an exchange

From the served – this makes us spiritually deranged

For our father peers into our hearts to determine intent

And He’s sure to see if we have some selfish bent

We should focus on glorifying Him with our gifts

So our offering is honored and some spirit it lifts