Dear Friends.
The other night at our Life Group, we
were discussing what it meant to be a servant. We all agreed it is much easier
to act like a servant when we can choose the time and condition of our service,
but it is much harder to reflect a servant’s spirit when someone asks or
demands our time and place of service.
I remember the times when I pastored
churches and was always willing to serve in the most menial of ways- thinking
nothing about helping to clean up a bathroom when needed. But when I became a
pastor with 20 other pastors in a huge mega church and was told to clean up a
bathroom, my servant attitude changed. It’s one thing when you get to choose
whether to be a servant; It is another thing when someone tells you to be a
servant.
I think of the example of our Lord who is our
model of servanthood. He willingly chose to wash the dirty feet of those
disciples knowing one would betray Him, and one would deny Him and all would
forsake Him.
What a stark reminder our Lord has left us
of what it means to be a servant. We are to be his 'foot washers.'
Fulfilling the role of a servant will
never be easy. It will often be painful, and thus easily avoided by even those
possessing the best of intentions.
A businessman asked a friend, “How do you
know if you are a servant.” Wisely, his friend, replied, “By the way you
respond when you are treated like one.”
One of the greatest servants I wished I
could have met is a little boy named Chad, who Chuck Swindoll describes in his
book Improving your Serve.
“Little Chad was a shy, quiet young
fellow. One day he came home and told his mother, he'd like to make a Valentine
for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, ‘I wish he wouldn't do
that!’
She was used to watching the children when
they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and
hung onto each other and talked to each other, but Chad was never included.
Nevertheless, she decided she would go
along with her son. So, she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For
three whole days, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 Valentine's.
Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was
beside himself with excitement! He carefully stacked them up, put them in a
bag, and boldly bolted out the door.
His mom decided to bake him his favorite
cookies and serve them up warm and nice with a cool glass of milk when he came
home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed...... maybe that would
ease his pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many
Valentines’ - maybe none at all.
That afternoon she had the cookies and
milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the
window. Sure enough, here they came, laughing and having the best time, and, as
always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She
fully expected him to burst into tears, as soon as he got inside.
His arms were empty, she noticed, and when
the door opened, she choked back her tears.
‘Mommy has some warm cookies and milk for
you.’ But he hardly heard her words. He marched right on by, his face aglow,
and all he could say was, 'not a one... not a one.’ Her heart sank.
And then he added, ‘I didn't forget a one,
not a single one!’"
Each time I recall this little story I
find myself thinking, I wish I could be like Chad, and yet I have such a long
way to go to possess his servant’s heart.
Servanthood starts in the mind, with a
simple prayer of three words: “Change me, Lord.” That's my prayer for today,
and I hope it's yours as well.
As I close, I suggest we be reminded of
those words of Jesus, who said, “I have given you an example, that you should
do as I have done to you.” (John 13: 15)
Yours in faith and friendship,
Tom
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