Our Job: Serving
April 9, 2011
Dear Friends,
When I was a child, my mother took very good care of me almost to the point of absurdity. I recall that when I was in high school, my mother would get up early every morning to get me off to school. This was completely unnecessary. “Getting me off to school” at this point consisted mostly of putting my Pop Tarts in the toaster. On many occasions I would tell my mom that she should just sleep in. I was quite capable of putting Pop Tarts in the toaster by myself. She would have none of that. She was going to get up and make those Pop Tarts for me.
As I look back on what my mom did and why she did it, the meaning is pretty clear. She wanted to serve me because she loved me. It gave her pleasure to do these little things for me. I understand now because I do similar things for my kids. A lot of times I will make their beds. They are always very busy and off in a rush every morning. Sometimes after they leave I’ll go in and make their beds. It’s not because I am a neat freak (trust me on that one!) and it is not because they can’t do it for themselves, it is just a way for me to say “I love you.”
When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, it wasn’t because Jesus was concerned about the hygienic condition of their feet. Jesus was telling his disciples that he loved them. He was showing them that service is what love is all about.
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Gal. 5:13)
You have probably heard the saying, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I think this is especially true when it comes to matters of faith. This is why serving is so vital. People need to know that we care about them and not just because we say we do, we need to show them we do.
Jesus explains it to his Apostles in terms of value.
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.(Luke 22:27)
In the world, we show a person’s worth by serving them. Important people have cooks, chauffeurs, gardeners and nannies that serve them. Those with supposed greater value are served by those with supposed lesser value. Jesus acknowledges this worldly truth, but then, in effect, says “Look at the importance I place on you by serving you. I think you have a lot of value.” We, in turn, do that for others when we serve them.
The opposite of service is really selfishness. The great irony in all this is that seldom do you find a contented, happy, well-adjusted selfish person. Selfish people really want happiness, but they believe the way they get it is by getting other people to serve them. Yet, I challenge the reader to think of someone they know who is self-centered and selfish and see if you can name just one who is really happy. In my experience, they are, almost without exception, not happy people. By the way, this doesn’t mean that we become a doormat for people. We are to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves. If we are serving in love as opposed to a sense of obligation, we will find joy in those tasks. As we are told in 2 Corinithians 9:7 (in a slightly different context),
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Have a great week,
Comments»
Many believers with a less active role in the community struggle with this; they may feel undervalued and less a part of the plan. There’s a quote from the film Chariots of Fire that I like (please forgive the secular reference): “You can praise God by peeling a spud if you peel it to perfection.” It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? The performance of little mundane and trivial things can speak volumes about one’s mindset. Your post last week also spoke to this. Good topic.