Serving God by serving others
A few months before my firstborn’s third birthday, I began brainstorming ideas I could implement to help her learn to consider others before herself. In a world that promotes and encourages self-centeredness, and because human beings are naturally selfish, I wanted to foster within her a love for people and a bent towards service.
On a November afternoon, we sat in a Meals on Wheels orientation session learning the process of delivering lunchtime meals to senior citizens. Truth be told, I knew that I couldn’t expect anything of my child that I, myself, was not actively modeling. If I wanted to raise a servant, I needed to be a servant.
The questionnaire asked what days we wanted to deliver, and I circled Friday. The volunteer coordinator said, “I have the perfect route for you, and we need someone to deliver every Friday but one each month. You want to start tomorrow?”
“Of course,” I gladly replied. No time better than the present. But as we drove off I began thinking to myself, “What have I just signed up for?”
Fridays are my free days. Every Friday my in-laws take the girls to play and I have hours alone to clean the house, run errands, attend appointments, have lunch dates, work on my writing, or just enjoy precious peace and quiet. The realization I would be sacrificing the majority of my free time each Friday caused me to second guess my commitment.
That all changed a few short months later. In March of 2020, when everything was closed and we were stuck at home, Meals on Wheels was my saving grace. More than ever, our friends needed their lunch, and as we needed to get out of the house, they needed to see a friendly face.
Over a year later, we have fallen in love with a group of sweet ladies. Each time we deliver, I stand back in amazement at how my child is the one serving. I’m just the chauffer, and I’m so very glad I didn’t go back on our weekly commitment.
“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 21:26-28
Service and selfishness don’t go hand in hand. Service requires sacrifice. And while you may not be giving up your life, you will give up something to serve others. It may be time, money, energy, effort, thought, or your agenda. But this is the mark of God’s people. What it looks like to follow Christ.
Service has a way of humbling our hearts and increasing our love. And the truth is that when we serve others, we are actually the ones who receive the blessing.
The opportunities are endless, my friend. How are you serving God by serving others?
