What Godly Service Looks Like
Page 493 of The Great Controversy states, “God desires from all His creatures the service of love—homage that springs from an intelligent appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced allegiance, and to all, He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.”
However, God’s opponent desires the exact opposite. Patriarchs and Prophets states on pages 35-36 that "Lucifer’s disposition to serve himself instead of his Creator aroused a feeling of apprehension when observed by those who considered that the glory of God should be supreme. In heavenly council, the angels pleaded with Lucifer. The Son of God presented before him the greatness, the goodness, and the justice of the Creator, and the sacred, unchanging nature of His law. God Himself had established the order of heaven; and in departing from it, Lucifer would dishonor his Maker and bring ruin upon himself."
Did you get that? God desires His creation to live a life of service to others. Lucifer desires to serve himself and encourages others to do the same.
Fast forward to the classroom and envision your daily interactions with students. There are those who continually make decisions that benefit only themselves. Meanwhile, you have kiddos who understand the importance of being kind and giving to classmates first. You have a student who continually yells out an answer to your question(s), and one who patiently raises their hand. Selfishness and selflessness are a continuous battle for all humanity, no matter the age!
We desire to both exemplify AND teach harmony in our classrooms - but how exactly can we achieve both? The only way harmony in Heaven was possible was through manifesting perfect love.
This perfect love always takes self out of the equation and focuses all attention on others. Personal accomplishments are important, but we will never promote selflessness in our classrooms if the focus isn’t on putting the needs of others first. Let us commit to teaching our students the essence of true, perfect love.
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love”