In many churches, including the one I pastor, we often discuss the importance of Serving Others. We frequently list various roles for Sunday service, such as ushers, offering collectors, greeters, parking team members, or preschool classroom leaders. Each of these roles is vital, contributing to the smooth functioning of our church and creating an inviting atmosphere for people to encounter God and grow in their faith through His Word.
However, it’s crucial not to confine your service to that single hour on Sunday. As followers of Christ, Jesus explicitly instructs us on the matter of serving others. In Mark 10, He explains that in our daily lives, each of us should prioritize the interests and needs of others above our own. This prioritization should be so significant that our consistent desire is to meet the needs of everyone around us.
Jesus Himself reminds us that He “did not come to be served, but to serve others.” This statement is profound. If anyone had the right to be served, it was Jesus. Yet, His earthly life was replete with examples of serving others. His instructions to us directly align with His own actions. Following Jesus means embracing a life where we are constantly seeking opportunities to meet the needs of those around us, utilizing our talents, gifts, and abilities. It’s a lifestyle centered on putting others first, shifting our focus from our own desires to identifying and addressing the needs of those we encounter.
While welcoming people at the door or distributing bulletins on Sundays are indeed forms of service, let’s not allow Sunday service to limit our understanding of a lifestyle dedicated to serving others. What actions are you taking from Monday to Saturday to positively impact your community, school, family, or workplace through your service? Is your life, as Jesus commands, one where you place yourself last, following His example and using your skills and resources to uplift and assist those around you?
Dear God, Your Son Jesus provided the ultimate example of what it truly means to be a servant. He not only served in practical ways but also served me by offering His life as a sacrifice for my sins. Please reveal to me the daily opportunities to serve others. Broaden my understanding of service, and guide me to not only seek practical ways to serve but also to embody a servant’s heart in every aspect of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
