I must say that I don’t usually get my inspiration from a luxury hotel, but I have recently been struck by a quotation on the window at the Westin Hotel just up from the Men’s Campus at the roundabout, which reads, “Because to serve is first to love.” This was written by Giuseppe Cipriani, a famous restaurateur.  In researching this quote, I found that the entire quote reads like this “We call on man to display his splendid capabilities.  And we observe with undivided attention, because the little nuances in the quality of his service give a flawless measure of his mind, they tell us frankly what his soul is worth, because, to serve is first to love.”

Even though that is a secular quote about the restaurant business, I believe it to be very true of Christians in our daily service, in whatever we are called to do.  If our minds have truly been transformed by the love of God, then we will naturally exude love.  “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” John 4:8

When we love God, we are obedient:

“But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him…” 1 John 2:5

When we love God, we do right:

“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.” 1 John 3:10

When we love God, we love others:

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:20

When we love God, we serve others:

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

 When we love God, we lay down our life for another:

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16

 However, if we are in a serving role without having the love of God, then that service can have some negative impacts. If we are serving from any other motive than the love of God, then it is a self-serving service.  (If we are not serving God, we are ultimately serving self).  One big problem resulting from this kind of service is burnout because we don’t have the Holy Spirit to sustain us.  Another big problem is pride, and we can even become resentful in our service because we don’t feel appreciated for what or how we have given.

So, if our minds have truly been transformed by the love of God, then we will naturally exude love when we serve.  Just as God is love, we who know God and what He has done for us also love—it is who we are and what we do.  “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” John 4:8

 If you do not know God like you want to, then invite Him into your heart. If you do not know how to do that, then let me know and I will walk you through it.  He is there waiting for you to transform your life.

Blessings,

Judy