Life Advice Part 2: You Were Made to Serve

Tim Ainley, CEO of Forward Edge, recently shared an inspiring message at a graduation commencement ceremony that is a timely and impactful message for us all. But, especially for recent graduates, young adults, and teens, these words could be the guiding principles you need as you step into a world with a million different possibilities:

Read Part 1: Remember Whose You Are

Ok, the second thing I wish someone would have told me is this: 

You were made to serve 

Let’s go back to Ephesians 2:10, which says: We are God’s handiwork (poiema), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

God made us to do good works…to bestow charity upon others…to give…to love…to serve. 

We follow Jesus’ example, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. 

In fact, do you remember the last lesson he taught the disciples in the upper room before going to the cross? He washed their feet and told them just as he has served them, they now ought to go and serve one another. 

That’s the purpose you were made for, graduates: to serve others. 

Let me ask any of you who have served on a mission trip…do you feel like even though you went to give of yourselves, you actually got more out of the experience than you gave? 

Yes! That’s the common theme we hear among people who serve with Forward Edge on mission trips. Because it’s how God designed us! 

And here’s what’s fascinating: science confirms this. 

Did you know that there is a positive biological response to altruism? That serving others, and giving to others, is actually good for your mental health?  

You see, when you give to someone else or serve them, with no motive behind it, no strings attached, your brain releases three chemicals: oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine.  

Doctors call these three chemicals the happiness trifecta because when your brain releases them, it brightens your mood. It increases your joy. 

You see, God designed us to serve others, and He biologically wired our bodies to flourish when we do so. 

You were made to serve. 

Read Part 3: Let God’s Will Come to You

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Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Bonjou (hello), my name is News Angel

  • location

    Haiti

  • 14 yrs. old

    02-18-2011

Entered the program: May 2024

News Angel lives with her father and 32 additional extended family members in her grandmother’s home. With the help of donors, Forward Edge built this four-bedroom concrete block house for the Joseph family in 2017 to replace and expand an old sheet metal structure they used to live in. News Angel’s father built a separate room for them on the roof of the house. There are 13 beds in the home and they have an outdoor bathroom and kitchen. They have electricity but no running water.

News Angel’s father does plumbing and electrical jobs to support his daughter. 

Sponsorship Level What's this?

Three $38 sponsorships are needed to cover the complete holistic care of one child. Cover one, two, or three sponsorships.