Sometimes, you run across verses that encourage you. Sometimes, you run across verses that lift your spirits in a time of trouble. Sometimes, you run across verses you’d never really noticed, and you’re called to action. And sometimes, verses step on your toes. I found one of those verses recently.

“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).

Obviously the psalmist had a great relationship with our God. He recognized God’s supremacy, and was more than content to be a servant of the Almighty. It reminds me of the prodigal son, who was ready to be a hired servant rather than a son when he returned home from his wicked journey.

But there’s a reason this verse steps on my toes, because as much as I would like to say that I feel the same way, I’m afraid my actions and attitudes often don’t match those words.

Sin is enticing. If it weren’t, none of us would be draw away by it. But it is. Sin is something that we want. Sin is something that appeals to us. Sin is something we would find pleasure in participating in. And so, dwelling in the tent of wickedness would probably be great…for a time. It would be great until consequences set in and we come to ourselves and realize our eternal destination. But in the moment, it would be incredible. It would be exactly what we wanted.

So would we trade that…getting to live an entire life dwelling in our wants and pleasures…to be a doorkeeper? Someone who only gets to sit outside of the presence of God, sometimes getting to peek inside? Someone who is a perpetual servant?

The answer we all want to say is YES!! I would do anything and give up anything to go to heaven. It’s like I’ve heard people say, “heaven is a bargain no matter the price!” But do we LIVE that way? Do we trade in lives of luxury and pleasure and popularity and ease for inconvenience and persecution and service? Are we truly content to spend our days as doorkeepers in the house of God?

This is an attitude I battle daily. When situations arise and are flat out NOT what I want to be doing, I struggle. Why can’t I just not go to this or not be involved in that? Why can’t I go do THIS even if it interferes with THAT? Why can’t I sleep in on Sunday morning, because that’s what I want to do. Why can’t I spend all of my money on myself? Why can’t I just live a life filled with whatever I want to do?

Because becoming a Christian means enlisting in service to the King. It means accepting that you are in slavery – bought by the precious blood of Christ. Becoming a Christian means you have one job description: obedience. Not obeying your own will and your own lusts, but obeying the One who will save your soul and give you a mansion for eternity.

But don’t focus on the mansion. Don’t do what you do because you want a reward. That’s not a truly committed doorkeeper. Instead, do what you do because you love God. If you truly love what you do and Who you’re doing it for, the work will seem as nothing.

May we rededicate our hearts and train our minds for true, pure, unadulterated service for our Savior. May we truly be able to say that we would rather be doorkeepers than have whatever we want. It’s a struggle, but heaven will surely be worth it all.