– 2 Chronicles 10:7
Serve to Receive
Have you ever been to a restaurant where the service was impeccable? Every detail taken care of; each setting meticulously placed; each plate set before you with expert care and each glass promptly filled, then every crumb quickly and promptly whisked away into a special, silver crumb-taker-away-thingy? The care, and the attention, and especially the service and the attitude of service almost compelling you to over-tip? Makes for a very special evening right? OK, now counter that thought with a memory of the worst service you can remember. You probably don't have to think too far back because bad service is fairly commonplace these days. Dirty tables, missing dinnerware, and poorly trained waitstaff with bad attitudes usually bring about the comment, "Well, we'll never be back HERE again."
Service – the art of serving – considering and seeing to the needs of another person or group of people, is God's design for His Church. A servant's heart, the desire to serve others and to respond to their needs with love and compassion, is God's design for His Children (That's You and Me)! When we get that concept on the inside of us – when it becomes WHO we are – then we can affect great change, not only in our church, but in our homes, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and the world in general.
People need! They need help; they need "things;" they need someone to listen . . . and to HEAR; they need compassion; they need hugs; they need to smile; they need, they need, they need. So who is going to meet those needs unless it's those of us whose needs have been met . . . those of us who the Father has called, and has rescued, and forgiven, and given new life. HE served us, and so it must break His heart when we turn a deaf ear, or a blind eye, or a closed heart to the needs of the hurting world at our feet – those WE can help by simply becoming a servant – by listening, and seeing, and loving, and doing; by rolling up our spiritual sleeves and getting involved in people's lives.
Believe me, I know how inconvenient it can be to serve others, but I have found that the resulting blessing far outweighs any presumed inconvenience. And, the change that happens in our lives when we set aside our own agendas in order to bring the Father's Love to someone who is hurting, or stressing, or on the brink of desperation, can often be considered miraculous. We BECOME servants. We take on, gladly and willingly, the details of someone else's burden. God changes our heart and a metamorphoses takes place in which our lives blossom and He starts pouring out Blessings, and Grace, and He unleashes abilities that we never knew we had. He changes us, from the inside out, into His 5-star waitstaff – His hands extended – ready, willing, and able to serve His children . . . His way . . . and for His Glory!
Prayer
Father, oh that You would make servants of us all! Help us Lord, to love serving You – not for recognition or for accolades – but for the pure love and the joy of doing Your work; of being about Your business. Birth in us, the desire to hear, and to see, and to do so that You will be revealed to lost and hurting people, and that they can turn from their old ways, and turn to You, becoming servants themselves. Thank You Lord, for this servant's heart.
Have a Blessed day everyone!
– Richard
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