Joy In Serving
Joy In Serving
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There is something spectacularly satisfying about serving with no expectations of getting anything in return; it is remarkably freeing.
The joy in serving comes from meeting the needs of people with authentic humility and knowing you are blessed with time, talent or treasury to meet those needs with no expectation or need of anything in return.
I belong to a church that makes serving a part of our everyday lives. They celebrate people, all people big and small, rich or poor, young or old giving of their time talent and treasury every day. They vet organizations to know who is doing the best in the areas of hunger, medical, housing, education and more. They provide a way to become involved in any area whether in the church or the community. There are homeless shelters that have schools for homeless children that are in desperate need to have people give their time to tutor students. Food shelves that need people to volunteer one day a month or more. There are elderly that need someone to mow their lawn, clean their gutters, or bring a meal and love.
For Christians in 1 Timothy 6:17 – 18 Paul tells Timothy to instruct the people not to be arrogant but to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share. Paul says to the believers in Philippi “do all things without grumbling or complaining.” Paul was confronting the mentality of selfishness, arrogance, grumbling and complaining during his time. People are no different today.
Consider the “dead sea” mentality, the “Everything-is-all-about-me-mentality.” Eventually, all that has been poured in simply has no value because there is no outlet to keep things flowing and fresh. Selfishness is something we come into this world with and unless there is training to overcome that selfishness it leads to a narcissistic self-consuming life. Those people take but never give back.
Often people will be willing to give so they can get accolades, feeling important because others noticed their good deed, but would you; could you; if only you and God knew? I have to say the richness and vibrancy of the color of the tapestry of our life are found in the humility of genuine heartfelt love of service. Seeing a need in your office, neighborhood, or classroom and then reaching over with a helping hand. What about a stranger, someone you may never meet or see again; a kind word, a solution to their dilemma by reaching outside of your comfort zone and saying, “I can; I can do that with or for you.”
The world around the self-absorbed person isn’t made better because they were in it. There can be a crisis and instead of rising to help those around them, the'self-absorbed' consider how their inconveniences. Think how much better we would be in crisis situations if everyone would set aside their inconveniences and reach out to those who need help. Unity and comradery created by reaching out to those around us can be life changing for all.
It is our nature to be selfish, and self-serving. Generosity and serving are concepts that needed to be taught then and now, all the way back to the time of Christ. HE was and is the example to follow. He gave His life. Even before we knew God, HE gave His only Son to redeem all mankind, which includes you and me and all generations to come. Whether we value God or not, He first valued us which is demonstrated in the gift of His Son for all of us.
God's gift to us can not be earned. We can only accept it. Jesus stayed here for three years to show us how to serve. HE was the example of service. HE not only taught the twelve apostles to serve but also showed them what kind of attitude they must have. His teaching the apostles allowed the apostles to teach others. Thus, we serve and teach others to serve.
Aside from Church or community work, there are other examples of service such as 12-step recovery programs. In speaking with many people, I find that one of the most effective ways to overcome challenges in our character, circumstances or perspective is in service. There is something significant about people who have gone through the same challenges as those they serve.
In most 12-step recovery programs, for instance, the main point of being of service is made where service is the key component; service is the 12th step. From my 36-year service experience this is why it works: Regardless of the affliction, once each person understood their need of God and they took responsibility for their actions, they planned a course of recovery. Making amends and regularly taking stock of their shortcomings is a key component of any recovery plan. They prayed and asked God for His guidance and inspiration. They gained spiritual and emotional growth in working these steps. The key is that once having started working on themselves it is important to help others. By our sharing our experience, strength and hope we gain strength and hope.
Our job is to show up.
Your neighbor, your friends or even to those you do not know, just show up. Give. In that simple act, we will gain strength, hope, love, and healing as we give to others even when we don’t think there is anything left to give.
