Bible Society of South Africa
Quintus Heine

New Seasons – Day 20

Serving gives you joy

Bible text(s)

14I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet.

John 13:14GNBOpen in Bible reader

In the passage above, Jesus leaves no doubt as to what you need to make your life full of joy. In verse 14, he makes it clear that we need to wash one another’s feet. He goes on to say, in verse 17, that you will be blessed if you do this.

In the Middle Ages, there was a man by the name of Francis of Assisi. He was the father of the Franciscan order. These monks had a very simple way of life and a lifestyle dedicated to service. This famous prayer was Francis of Assisi’s motto for life:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, the truth;

Where there is doubt, the faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled, as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

To serve people is to make others happy in whatever way you can; and when you do, you will also be happy. Then, you will understand the meaning of life! May serving God and others give you real joy.

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