Day 33: How Real Servants Act

I'll admit that I like when people do things for me. My wife does things for me all the time. I've got kids that I can send to check the mail and fetch stuff for me so that I don't have to get up, etc. But I should be serving others more than I am being served. Jesus modeled service for us. He was the Son of God and He led the Apostles, but on the night of the last supper, He washed their feet.

I know that there is room for improvement in how well, and how often I serve others. I don't always make myself available to serve. I serve on Sundays, but Monday through Saturday I work night shift and don't spend a lot of time in service to others. When I see a need, I still tend to weigh it against what I am doing and what my work/sleep schedule looks like. Just yesterday, I miss a chance to serve when I saw a guy whose truck was broken down. I was on my way to work so I didn't stop to help.

I'll also admit that there are some ways that I enjoy serving, and some ways are things I wouldn't enjoy. I tend to stay away from those. But God is telling me that all service is a way to please Him. That may mean serving in the nursery and changing diapers or burping babies. And, I admit that some Sundays, I just don't want to get up early. My schedule lends itself to sleeping in, I don't have to be at work till 4 on most days; noon on the overtime days. So when Sunday comes, it's hard to be at church at 8:30am to help set up.

Just like when I started my blog, I wanted to know that people are benefiting from my service. Which is funny, because in church I serve in set up and break down, and running the sound board. Those things happen before and after people get there, and from the very back of the church. So, I don't know who is going to consider that what I did was serving them. Still, who doesn't want to hear "good job" or "thank you"?

This chapter made me examine how I was serving in a different way than the previous two days did. Not what I am doing, but if I am doing it the way God wants me to. I'd give myself a B-/C+ for my service. There is much room for improvement. I'm glad that I've had this time to reflect on my service, because I want to do better. When I serve others, even children, I'm serving God.

Matthew tells us in his Gospel that Jesus said He would reward us for service. and I don't know about you, but a reward from God trumps any "thank you", plaque, or gold watch in my book.

And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.
Matt 10:42

Which of the six characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?I talked about a few areas that I struggle in, but the 'greatest' challenge is making myself available to serve outside of Sunday.

Remember: I serve God by serving others