Service 101

I would like to start by asking a few questions.

#1: How many ways are you served each day and by how many people? We typically evaluate some common experiences by how well we were served. For example, many times we consider the quality of service from our waiter/waitress at a restaurant to be more important than the quality of the food for an enjoyable dining experience.

#2: How does it make you feel when you are waited on hand and foot? Do you remember a time when you were sick, or your birthday or some other occasion where your family and/or friends seemed to be at your beckon call?

#3: How often do we take the services we are receiving for granted? The classic example that comes to my mind here is when your mom is sick and in bed and the day to day activities of the home come to a screeching halt!

#4: How does the number of people that served you today compare to the number of people you have served? What opportunities to serve others have you missed today?

So you might be asking me now…what is your deal with service? Well, it’s not an option. We are called to do so in Scripture. Galatians 5:13 says we were called to be free. But we are not to use our freedom to indulge in sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Peter tells us we should use whatever gifts we have been given to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10). Peter’s words make an important point. Our service toward others is God’s grace distributed through us. As we come in contact with various people (family, friends, coworkers, peers, and even waitresses), our acts of service may be the concrete proof they need to understand God’s love for them.

To sum it up, there are three things we need to keep in mind about service. 1. It’s how people know God’s grace. 2. It’s not optional but commanded by Scripture. 3. It’s hard. As we learned at the Leadership Ranch…you can’t grow if you don’t step out of your comfort zone.

I want to end with just one more question. Actually, it is more of a challenge for each of you. Can you find one way to serve someone else before the day ends? Maybe that means doing something at home or work, or just asking someone what you can do to help them. Don’t forget that it might be hard work. Remember, we are called to serve. Read Matthew 20:28 and figure out just one way in which you can serve someone before the day ends.