“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 (NIV)

I am going to be completely honest for a moment; sometimes I get tired of being a pastor. If you really care about your people, then it can be incredibly draining work. I love every member of my flock, and because of that, they deserve the very best sermons, the very best Bible studies, the very best devotions, the very best programs, the very best counseling, and the very best of my prayers. But I am human, and, because of that, I am often weak. I don’t always have the strength be “Pastor Shane” again today. When I come to those moments, I try to remember Hebrews 6:10 and the fact that, one of the greatest ways I show my love for God is by serving his people. When I show him love in that way, he always sees it and always remembers it.

This is not only true for pastors. We can all love God by loving those around us. There is no way we could every repay Christ for what he has done for us through his death and resurrection. But what we can do is show him our love and gratitude by serving those he died for. Living as a servant is not easy and it usually comes with little to no recognition. But God knows. God sees. God smiles when you show love to his people. So, I encourage you, continue to serve even when it is not easy. Serve because God sees it. Serve because it shows God how much you love him. Love because he first loved you.

Loving Heavenly Father, we deeply desire to show You at least a small fraction of the love You have shown us. Strengthen us and fill us with the right heart so that we will continue to love You by serving our brothers and sisters.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon