Wednesday, November 13, 2024

“Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant.” (Matthew 23:11, The Message Bible)

            Service with a smile – how hard can it be?

I am frustrated with the Canadian service industry in general. We have been trying and trying to hire various people to do some work around our house this Fall, both outdoors and indoors. We leave phone messages and get no call back. We get people who say they will come around and then don’t. Some phone weeks later. Some even suggest that we fix our problems ourselves i.e. the cable company. Susan is a trooper in her pursuit of the needed service calls, but it is often an irritating act of futility. I have recently tried to get more involved with our stalled, basement reconstruction. I phoned a company Friday; they promised to call back within 48hrs – we’re still waiting. To be fair, I phoned a local company; the man came within 20 minutes, figured out the problem and can start Monday. Isn’t that how it should work or am I being too picky?

Giving good service is a challenge. A lot of things can get in the way or become excuses or hold us back or are out of our expertise in some cases. But when we are called upon to be of service in any way, shape or form, we should try to give it our best effort.

Jesus told many a story about servants. He emphasized that they should always be ready to serve and it is a serious responsibility. “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.” (Matthew 24: 25, New Living Translation) The parable of the talents teaches us that we should double our efforts to produce good works. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” (Matthew 25:23) Although, some of us may be aghast that we now have more responsibilities. Yikes! Christian service is an act of loving humility. “But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.” (Luke 22:26) Jesus is not just talking a good spirit of voluntarism but a dedicated duty of serving others in the name of Jesus.

Of course, translations have softened up the language by replacing the word ‘slave’ with ‘servant.’ Slavery has all the wrong connotations in our modern world and for good reason. Nobody wants to be a slave or be obliged to have to do anything against our will.  We might say that some people are slaves to their work, slaves to their ambitions, slaves to their reputations.  But nobody wants to be enslaved to serve another out of obligation and necessity.  We want to be free beings, make free choices, doing what we want when we want and how we want.

Yet Jesus uses the word slave or servant, if you prefer. In fact, Jesus portrays himself as a servant. He sets the example for us. “Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” (John 12: 26) when Jesus stooped down and washed his disciples’’ feet, normally the work of servants, he gave us the perfect example of what Christian service means.

“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.  I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” (John 13: 14 17)

                If we are slaves to fame, fortune and power, that is not going to work in the Kingdom of God. But if we truly follow in Jesus’ Way, then our destiny is found in the work of service in the world around us. There are certainly plenty of opportunities for us from om food banks to homeless shelters to church boards and committees, to hospital volunteers or driving cancer patients to their appointments to name but a few. I serve on the hospital’s Spiritual Care Advisory Committee and occasionally fill in for one the chaplains. I should do more.  

Whatever we do, we should do it in the Love and Name of Jesus. He expects us to call back, show up and do a good work.

            Brother, sister, let me serve you;
            let me be as Christ to you;
            pray that I may have the grace to
            let you be my servant too.

 Dale