Service as Worship

Written by Sgt. Jeremy “Jay” Seals, U.S. Army (2015)

Reflection and Introduction by Tori Seals

In the Sanskrit tradition, there’s a word that captures the heart of what my husband believed in—Seva.
It means selfless service or altruistic action performed purely for the benefit of others, without expectation of anything in return.
Seva can take many forms—through physical labor, through thought and teaching, or through giving and generosity.

For Jay, Seva wasn’t a foreign philosophy; it was a lived truth. His Army service was an act of worship, not in ritual, but in responsibility. He believed that to serve others is to serve God, and that every moment spent helping a fellow human being—whether on the battlefield, in the barracks, or back home—was sacred.

On Veterans Day in 2015, Jay wrote the words below. They remain a living reflection of Seva—of faith in action, duty without ego, and love without conditions.

“Service as Worship” — by Sgt. Jeremy “Jay” Seals (11/11/2015)

Growing up, I was raised with the idea that work is elevated to worship to God—most especially when that work is service-oriented. There is no single thing that any human being can do to or for God, and that's a fact. But there's plenty that we can do for His creations and our fellow human beings. To serve others is to serve Him.

That is one of the guiding reasons I chose to serve in the Army. As a Soldier, I have served my nation, but more directly I have served those stellar few countrymen and women who answered the call of service. Every day of my service has been started with the mantra: “I don’t wanna… but I gotta.” I gotta because I obligated myself, in whatever way possible, to help others.

Service is not about choice or selfish purpose. Ours is not so much a profession of arms, but one of responsibility. We are responsible to ourselves and others, for ourselves and others. At least 90% of what a Soldier does every day isn’t in pursuit of glory or accolades or recognition. We do it because it needs to be done, and we feel that we have what it takes to get it done.

We are not perfect. We make mistakes. We even fail sometimes. But we face our imperfections, our mistakes, and failures with courage and determination. We learn from them, grow from them, and improve because of them. And we do it not so that we can be perfect, but that we can serve with perfect intent.

Every single person I’ve had the honor to serve with and for, I readily and wholeheartedly call “brother” or “sister.” Regardless of rank, regardless of background, regardless of when they served, we all share the common bond of serving that which is greater than ourselves. Those bonds make us family.

When I teach a younger Soldier how to do what I do, and they learn it eagerly, I am proud. I am made prouder still when they use what I’ve taught them and take initiative so that they can do good things with that knowledge.

Our greatest weapons aren’t the tools of war and destruction, but of intellect and selflessness. You don’t need a gun to make a computer work properly; you don’t need a gun to throw yourself on a grenade to save the lives of those around you; you don’t need a gun to build a school; you don’t need a gun to fix a helicopter… and yes, using a gun to face the enemy, while often necessary, is the point at which a Soldier truly is putting his or her life on the line. All of those acts have purpose and an effect. All of those actions require a pure, white-hot dedication to sacrifice—to give, to help, to make things better, even if by just a fraction.

What we do is not for ourselves, but for everyone else. We have every right and reason to hold our heads high, our spines erect with true pride—not for what we do, but for what we represent.

To each of you with whom I have proudly served, and those who have served before me: I love you all more than you can know, and thank you for the honor to serve by your sides, at all times and for all reasons. May God bless you all and those who have been taken from us on the field of battle, to say nothing of our families and loved ones who support us and appreciate us.

— Sgt. Jeremy “Jay” Seals
U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division (2-502 HHC)
Written November 11, 2015

Reflections from Tori

When I reread Jay’s words now, I see Seva in every line. His service wasn’t just about patriotism—it was about purpose. He didn’t serve for medals, titles, or recognition. He served because he believed that the best way to honor God was to lift others.

This idea—that work done in service to others is a form of worship—continues to guide me. It’s what keeps me advocating for military families, surviving spouses, and those still fighting unseen battles. Jay’s words remind me that even in grief, service can be sacred.

True Seva doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—it lives on in the hearts of those who continue to serve in every way they can.