Last week we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. One of my very favorite quotes of his is “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” It’s a question of purpose, priority and life aim.

Before MLK, Jr., the apostle Paul said something similar in one of my favorite scriptures: Acts 20:24 — “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” For Paul, his goal in life was to serve God and others. Clear. Simple. Intentional.

May I encourage you to join me in praying something similar today? Let’s commit ourselves to a higher calling than self-service. Rather, let’s pray a prayer of self-surrender. May we, like Paul, live to serve God and others with heartfelt passion. God is eager to use you and me to bless others if we will only get our eyes off self and place our eyes on Him and how we can bless others. Opportunities to be a blessing are all around us. Let’s take full advantage of them as we honor God and show His love to others.