Serving

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of being in a room full of people who are servants.  Not the kind that put on black and white and run a household for wealthy folks, but the every-day kind who are your neighbors and co-workers.

Each year our Pastor and his wife take time around the holidays to say thank you to everyone who plays a part in making sure things run smoothly at Church Triumphant and that our vision and purpose are fulfilled to the greatest degree possible.  You may be the leader in charge of a ministry, the person who makes the coffee, the lead guitarist, the faithful nursery volunteer, someone who has attended CT for years or someone who has recently decided to join us; everyone who serves is invited to a special dinner.  Why?  Because everything we do for the purpose of serving others makes a difference.

Servant hood is a lost art.  We are too busy, isolated, worn out or afraid of being taken advantage of.  It is so easy to buy into the “me first” philosophy without even realizing we have done it.  Even when we do serve, it’s not unusual to be thinking about ourselves more than the need we are helping meet.

At the risk of being a bit political, I think we have abdicated our opportunity to be our brother’s keeper to the government.  Instead of taking care of each other we figure Uncle Sam ‘has a program for that’ so our involvement isn’t necessary.  What fulfillment and blessings we miss out on when we choose not to do what we can to help each other.  When neighborhoods are filled with people who truly want to be neighbors instead of simply share a street address, the climate of the neighborhood changes.  When church-folk decide their purpose is to put into action the things Jesus taught rather than merely meet a weekly obligation to fill a pew, the effectiveness of the church increases.  When communities have people who realize they are the best source of help for others, that community becomes a wonderful place to live.

Christmas is a time when it’s easy to give a little extra to help those in need.  Usually it’s done in such a way that we might not even know whom we are helping.  We give to a ‘fund’ or drop a toy in a box for someone else to deliver, and those are fine things.  But don’t let the season go by without finding out if there are those right around you who could use your help.  Get involved.  Involve others.  The need doesn’t have to be large or costly before help is appreciated. And don’t stop looking for ways to serve others when the holidays are over.  Make serving a lifestyle.  Make it a family event or even a neighborhood project. You may be helping someone else but what you receive will amaze you!

You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;

only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses,

but serve each other through love.

All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement:

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:13-14