Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Jesus Told Us To Serve Others

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the 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.” -- John 13:12-15

At least once each month I make a series of calls to various people in the church. They are folks who for one reason or another might need some help. Some are older. Some are sick. Some are alone. Some are caregivers. All different reasons but the need is there.

Some people are grateful for the offer but few actually accept help -- at first. It’s as though they can’t believe that strangers -- even strangers who are part of their church -- would actually come and help them. Sadly, we no longer think of Christians as those who serve others.

As time passes, I can see their hearts change. And then, reluctantly, they make a request. I arrange for someone to come and do what they need, with a smile. They are shocked. And happy. Not so much because the task got done but because someone actually cared about them.

Please understand these tasks are rarely glorious. There’s nothing fun about pulling weeds or trimming hedges or putting eye drops in someone’s eyes. But the blessing comes in the doing. Because it is such a joy to do good for others.

Perhaps it’s because we’re doing what Jesus told us to do. There was nothing glamorous about Jesus washing the dirty feet of the disciples. But He did it to show us all that following Him means doing good to others. That’s not real popular in this “me” world we live in.

Maybe that’s why service isn’t something people expect anymore. Oh, we’ll do the big outreach day every now and then. But when it comes to the day-to-day service, God’s people just aren’t known for showing up.

There are exceptions of course. Some denominations really put effort and training into disaster response teams. Others have regular outreach programs. But most focus on themselves and the people in their group. They care for church leaders and longtime members -- sometimes -- but the average church member is really still alone. That is just so sad.

Jesus told us to serve others. He didn’t qualify it with “if we feel like it” or “if it’s convenient” or even if we like the person. He said to serve. Why don’t we?