This is why!

There’s a scene I’ll never forget from the Gospel of John. Jesus is kneeling on the floor, towel in hand, washing the dusty feet of His disciples. It’s an intimate moment, full of unexpected grace. The King of kings, humbling Himself to serve the very ones who would later scatter in fear. What kind of love is this? What kind of heart would stoop so low for the sake of others? It’s the heart of our Saviour. And it’s the heart He’s asking us to have, too.

But if we’re honest, there’s a danger here, isn’t there? In the busyness of ministry, we can lose sight of the “why” behind our serving. We can start off with a pure desire to follow Jesus’ example, only to find ourselves, somewhere along the way, serving out of habit, obligation, or even a desire for recognition. It’s a subtle shift, but it makes all the difference.

Keeping Our Motives in Check

Jesus once warned His disciples: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). His words aren’t meant to discourage us but to help us pause and reflect. Why do we do what we do? Is it for applause, approval, or a sense of worth? Or is it because we love Jesus and want to honour Him?

When we serve to be seen by others, our joy quickly evaporates. We become more concerned with impressing people than with pleasing God. We start comparing our ministry to others, measuring success by likes, shares, or attendance figures. And soon, what began as an act of worship becomes a source of stress and burnout.

There is a better way. Jesus invites us to serve with a heart that’s ever, only, all for Him. When our service flows out of a genuine love for Christ, it brings life—not just to those we serve but also to us. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). When we serve for Jesus alone, the pressure to perform fades away. We’re no longer striving to prove ourselves; we’re simply responding to the One who loved us first.

Serving Like Jesus

In Mark 10:45, Jesus gives us the ultimate example of servant leadership: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Our Saviour didn’t serve to gain favour or build a platform. He didn’t serve because He needed validation. He served because He loved. And that’s our call, too. To serve because we love Him. To offer a cup of cold water, a warm meal, a listening ear—not for the praise of people but for the smile of our Saviour.

I remember a story of a missionary who spent years labouring in a remote village. When she finally retired and returned home, there was no fanfare, no grand celebration. But she didn’t need it. Her heart was full because she had spent her life serving for an audience of One. Her reward was the knowledge that she had pleased her Lord.

How to Keep Our Hearts in Check

So how do we guard our hearts and keep our motives pure? Here are three simple reminders:

1. Remember Who You’re Serving “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Ephesians 6:7). When you’re tired and weary, remind yourself why you started. It was for Jesus. He sees every act of kindness, every sacrifice made in secret. And He promises that none of it is wasted.
2. Rejoice in Small, Hidden Acts of Service Jesus said, “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret” (Matthew 6:3-4). Some of the most beautiful acts of service are the ones no one else sees. When you serve quietly, without an audience, it’s an offering of pure worship.
3. Rest in His Approval, Not People’s Praise It’s easy to get caught up in what others think. But at the end of the day, there’s only One opinion that matters. “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23). Those are the words we long to hear. When we rest in God’s approval, we find joy in serving Him, no matter who’s watching.

Ever, Only, All for Him

It’s a simple phrase, but it’s become a guiding prayer for me: Ever, only, all for You, Jesus. It’s a reminder that my service isn’t about building my kingdom, but His. It’s about lifting high the name of Jesus, not my own. So today, let’s take a moment to examine our hearts. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to shine a light on any hidden motives, any desires for recognition or approval that may have crept in. And then let’s surrender them back to Jesus, asking Him to purify our hearts and refocus our gaze.

Let’s serve like Jesus—humbly, faithfully, and with a heart that beats only for Him. Because when it’s ever, only, all about Jesus, the smallest act of service becomes a powerful act of worship. And in that kind of service, we find the greatest joy.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

So, keep going, dear servant of Christ. The work you’re doing matters, more than you know. And the One who sees it all is cheering you on, whispering, “Well done.”