Serving: It’s Not Really Work
Part of my prayer each day is, “Lord, in whatever capacity it might be, and with whom I may come in contact … help me to represent you well.” This prayer is so humbling as I think about why God would choose to risk His reputation on someone like me. Yet strangely, that is exactly what we are all called to do — to represent Jesus well. Although the ways to represent Jesus might be infinite, we as humans sometimes get bogged down trying to figure out or even control the the how, the where, the who and the what of that tangible manifestation and can quickly become defeated. So, I expanded my daily prayer. I ask for God’s creativity in my life … to do what only He can do.
Throughout scripture, we find that Jesus is a masterful storyteller, and through His use of parables, Jesus connects both intellectually and at a heart level with the masses — speaking truth into their lives through short stories in ways that the listener can understand. I believe Jesus illustrates with extraordinary wisdom both His creativity and my deep desire to “represent Him well” in one particular parable. But, I must tell you, this parable is a perspective changer. So you can’t say I didn’t warn you:
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)
From this perspective, acts of kindness take on a new meaning, don’t they?
My best friend, Susan (Yes, her name is Susan, too.), has the spiritual gift of service. If you were to cut her open, she would bleed out servanthood.
Wherever and whatever the need might be, big or small and most typically behind the scenes, it’s beautiful to see her work. The point is, to many of us, it’s work, but to her, it’s not work at all. It’s serving “as unto the Lord.” It’s the hands and feet of Jesus wherever they are needed and in whatever capacity. Susan is living out in tangible ways each day, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” It’s a great witness and also great to witness!
Whether it’s working with disaster relief, World Vision, a local non-profit that needs your help, a homeless shelter, a food pantry, a women’s shelter, or a children’s shelter, volunteering for ministry at your local church, visiting the homebound, or helping a friend in need, there are endless possibilities. So, ask God. He will direct where He wants you to focus your time and energy. Yes, the possibilities are endless, and we can’t do it all, but we were never meant to. We were meant to do our part, and if we ask for and rely on the creativity of God, it’s endless, too. So ask God to do what only He can do and be creative through you today!
*Celebrate Arkansas - January 2018