The Four Components of Service

Service can lead to a deep connection to both people and G-d. Any positive act can be an act of service if it has the right motivation, thought, emotion and action. We often get the action right and fail on the others.

Say we’re picking up a friend from the airport. We could pick them up on time, annoyed at the traffic, and barely talk on the drive home.

A better motivation is to serve our friend. We think ahead. We check the flight time and Waze, and consider what our friend will need after a long flight.

We choose to be enthusiastic about helping our friend and deepening our friendship. We picture their relief at seeing us. We greet them with a smile and ask about their trip.

Consider a blessing over a glass of water. We could say it in four seconds.

A better motivation is to serve G-d by recognizing Him as the source of all blessing. We think about what its nine words mean.

We choose to be enthusiastic about serving G-d. We notice we have clean water to drink. We say the blessing at a moderate to slow pace, focusing on connecting to G-d.

Without all four, each act is still a good deed. But the right motivation, thought, emotion and action elevates it to an act of service and a source of deep connection.