A duty to serve vs a willingness to serve

Today I had the not so unique experience to be selected for jury duty. I say it's not unique, because if you count it a privilege to vote, you must also count on being selected to serve your fellow citizen. Some of us, when confronted with the choice to serve, willingly do so. We don't consider it a duty, but a privilege. Yet, you never really know if your service will be accepted or rejected. I got a good lesson in letting God have the control he has always had. I know that it was hard. At one time, during the time when the bailiff called out names, my heart felt as if it was going to jump out of my chest. I know I shouldn't have reacted that way. I know I should have let go. It's like my pastor kept trying to tell me. Stressing over things you can't control only brings you grief and tells God that you don't trust him.

Knowing that I need to have the willingness to serve is only part of the equation. I must be willing to act when it comes the time to act. I do struggle with duties and responsibilities. I know my duties to serve others, but need to find the willingness to serve them. It doesn't work when it's just plain duty that has you serving, instead of the actual willingness to serve. This means that I need to start thinking positively, and not negatively about the circumstances and place the Lord has placed me. This is my time and place, and what I do in the Lord's name reflects on him.