Why serve him so you can know him? Because his word requires it: "Go quickly and tell his disciples" (v. 7); "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (vs. 18-19). Evangelism and ministry, using your spiritual gifts, giving your tithe to his Kingdom, worshiping him publicly and serving him daily--these are requirements in Scripture. Serving Jesus is not optional, like deciding you want an A instead of a B in the class. If you're not serving Jesus with your gifts and your life, you are disobeying the word of God.

Why serve him so you can know him? Because gratitude calls us to service.

Calvin Miller tells the story of a young boy in the Chinese labor camps of Mao Tse Tung. He stole some rice for his starving mother, and was caught. To make him an example, the authorities put him in a bamboo cage which was so small he could not stand. They hung the cage in the middle of the village and left the boy to die. They made his father watch as his son slowly died of thirst and exposure, covered by flies and insects. Many years later the father recounted the story for missionaries. Through his tears he said in broken English, "It was good when he finally died."

The One you are called to serve chose that for his Son. The women saw it happen. They knew the price God paid for them. Your Father has given you life and life eternal, at the cost of his Son's agony and torture. Gratitude calls us to service.

Why serve him so you can know him? Because future reward calls you to present service.

I don't know how heaven can be perfect for each of us, and yet reward those who are faithful and not those who are not. But Scripture says it's true. There are "crowns" for enduring temptation, for winning souls to Christ, for leading others spiritually, for staying faithful to the end. There just are.

I understand the thesis that a shack in paradise is good enough. But remember that heaven is forever. What you have there is all you will have, forever and ever and ever. We are conditioned by time to live in chapters. Nothing is permanent for us. But in heaven there is no time. What you have there, you have forever.

Remember the story of the wealthy Christian who gave very little of his money or time to the Kingdom. In heaven he was shocked by the diminutive size of his home, and complained bitterly. Peter replied, "I did the best I could with what you sent me."

Why serve him so you can know him? Because the presence of Jesus is your greatest joy now. Clasping his feet and worshiping him is your life's purpose. Augustine said it well: "You have made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you" (Confessions 1.1).

I lived more than 20 years as a Christian before I learned that the presence of Jesus is my greatest joy. I had completed three graduate degrees in theology, taught on a seminary faculty, and served three churches as pastor before I learned that fact.

I've told you the story of my silent retreat in 1997 at Ignatius House, the Jesuit Catholic retreat center in Atlanta where I came to realize that I had lost touch with my soul. I prayed to God each day, but I couldn't remember the last time I listened to him. I knew he loved me, but I couldn't remember that last time I told him I loved him. I was doing the work of the church, but not the work of the soul. I couldn't remember spending an hour in his presence, much less a day.

During that retreat I learned that every moment we invest in meeting with God is worth its price. Every moment spent in Bible study and prayer, solitude and surrender, listening and meditating, draws us closer to the One our hearts were made to know. A week ago I was back in Atlanta, and spent part of a day back at Ignatius House. And in its stillness and solitude the Father spoke to my soul again. His presence is worth all it costs and more.