There is a beautiful verse which I want to show you. It blessed my heart many years ago when I was a young believer. It is Genesis 29:20: "Jacob worked seven years for Rachel and it seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her."

This wasn't a desk job that Jacob had. It was hard work in the fields, looking after sheep. He had to work in the hot sun during the day and sleep outside in the cold at night. He even lost his health. But yet, it says that he felt the seven years were just like a few days for him. All because Jacob's love for Rachel was so passionate and so strong.

And I thought, "If Jacob could serve like that for a woman, how should I serve the Lord who loved me so much that He gave His life for me?" And I said, "Lord, I want it to be like that in my life, and my service for You. Many years of suffering and pain and misunderstanding will be just like a few days for me, because I love You with all my heart." I said that to God more than 40 years ago. Today I can testify that after more than four decades of service for the Lord (34 of them in full-time Christian work) they have been just like a few days for me.

And I now say, "Lord, give me at least 29 more years of health to serve You." And that will be just a few more days too! I could not possibly have had this attitude if I were a Christian businessman making money.

The most wonderful thing in the world is to serve the Lord. Nothing can equal that. And I decided when I began serving the Lord that I would not serve Him for money, or honour, or position, or acceptance, or fame, but only because I loved Him who loved me first.

Do you find your labour for the Lord heavy? It's because you don't love the Lord with all your heart.