How to Serve God Out of Delight
By Rick Warren
“Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves.” Romans 12:3 (NLT)
Listen to your heart.
That sounds like pop culture fodder, but the Bible says that’s what God wants you to do. He wants you to look at what you’re made to do in order to know what he wants you to do. But most people these days are moving so fast that they don’t have time to listen to their heart anymore.
People all over the world are speeding along with no direction. They’re in such a hurry, stressed with too much to do—and they won’t realize until it’s too late that they didn’t have to do so much.
This isn’t the plan God has for you. He wants you to slow down and listen to your heart. Romans 12:3 says, “Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves” (NLT).
I suggest you get alone with God and ask yourself these questions:
- What do I love to do?
- What do I dream of doing?
- What fascinates me?
- What can I talk about, think about, and study all day without getting bored?
- Where have I been most effective in my life?
I once baptized an 80-year-old woman after a service at Saddleback Church. She wanted to be a small group host. That’s pretty cool—an 80-year-old small group host! She said, “I just wish I learned years ago that we serve God out of our design, not out of duty.”
I wish everybody could learn that truth. That’s what SHAPE—your Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences—is all about. You serve God out of your design and the way he shaped you. You serve God not out of duty, force, or guilt but because you love him. Because when you do what he wired you to do, it brings glory to him.
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you’ve been given—in other words, of what God put you on earth to do. Then serve God out of delight and gratitude. That’s the way to live.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
