Loving one another is what we are considering for this
portion of the Season of Pentecost. We’ve looked at the ‘old-fashioned’ ideas
of writing notes, and actually entering into conversations. Today is another
idea some might consider outdated: Offering
Love that comes from Serving without expecting anything in return.
Each of the Gospels tells of Jesus reminding his disciples
that he ‘did not come to be served, but to serve…’ (Mark 10:45, Matthew 10:28,
Luke 22:27, John 13:13-14) and commends us to do the same. In the Letter to the
Philippians we are reminded that Jesus indeed had every right to demand to be
served. He “existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to cling to, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a
servant, being made inhuman likeness. And being found in appearance as a
man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross…
(Philippians 2:6-8)
Serving without
expectation of thanks or reward can be counter-cultural. Yet, we must
remember that Jesus did not fit into his society either. If he had, there would
not have been conflict with the ruling authorities. In both Matthew 10:24 and
John 15:20 Jesus told his disciples, and us, that “a disciple is not above his teacher,
nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple to be like his
teacher, and servant like his master.” Those of us who claim to follow Jesus
Christ are called to take a stand against the dark things of the world that
destroy our souls if we allow it.
One way is to Serve one another in Love. We can learn to offer service in love to
each other, rather than seeking to be ‘first’ and ‘important’ in the eyes
of the world. It is not easy to be different in action from others. It is hard
not to respond with anger when we are wronged. It is difficult to step out of
our comfort zone and serve someone we don’t know, or even someone we do know.
Whether it’s a bottle of water to a homeless person on the
street, ‘paying-it-forward’ by buying a coffee for the person behind you in
line, helping a neighbor mow her lawn, or volunteering at a food pantry there
are big and small ways we can serve one another. Perhaps it is something as small as helping tie a shoelace like the little boy in the image. It doesn’t have to start with
some huge gesture, simply a hand reached out in anonymous love can have a huge
impact.
Becoming the hand of
Christ by Serving is a small step toward bringing Love and Light to a world
that is often frightening and dark. Maybe the idea from the old hymn isn’t
so far off “Let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may
have the grace to let you be my servant too…We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load..”
The New Living Translation of Galatians 5:13-14 says, “For you brothers were called to freedom, but
do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. The entire
Law is fulfilled in a single decree: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” It
may not be easy. However, the result is life and freedom for you and for the
world.
How can you Serve in Love your neighbor, the homeless person
on the corner, the driver in the next lane, the waiter at the counter…?
Is there some little gesture you can make today and tomorrow
and the next day to offer Love in the form of Serving that might brighten
someone’s day?
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll look at
some specific ways of serving in love.
