True service begins with Christ who is the Head; and when Christ is forgotten, then the service is defective. It has lost connection with the spring and fountain of all service, because it is from the Head that all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered increaseth. The body is of Christ, and He loves it as He loves Himself; and every one who would serve it, will best learn to do so by knowing His heart and purposes toward it. In a word, it is Christ who serves, though it may be through us. We are but "joints and bands," and if we are not derivative and communicative from Christ, we are useless.
To be useful, my eye and heart must be upon Christ, and not on the issue of my service; though if true to Him, the end will vindicate me too, however disheartening the interval. He who judges his service by present appearance, will judge by the blossom, and not by the fruit.