We Are Called To Serve Others

This is one of those teachings that is hard for most of us to grasp, but Jesus gives us the best example of serving others in John 13. I encourage you to read about his humility and the love he had for his disciples. John 13:5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. vs 12-15 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher', and 'Lord', and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

I love what the book "Relationships A mess worth making" says: "What makes words powerful is the action that flows from them." How true this is.

You've heard the phrase "actions speak louder than words" right? I think our action speaks volumes, just as Jesus' life spoke volumes in the way he taught his disciples to humble themselves.

The book reminds us that "the pathway to greatness is humility. But more than that, the pathway to greatness is found in serving others." "If our professed commitment to Jesus does not lead us to resemble him in our actions, then we are mocking him and not representing him accurately to the world." It also reminds us that "we have to see how much of a servant you aren't before you can start to become one." "Applying these answers to your life will transform you and bring new vision and vitality to your relationships."

Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

"We should never minimize the humble service of one person to another; it is a sign of God's grace at work in a person's life." "Jesus not only serves in the midst of his greatest crisis, he serves the very ones who don't deserve to be served." "When we model this kind of love, it is compelling evidence that we truly believe what we say. When we serve those who don't deserve it, we are changed and God uses it powerfully in others' lives."

Mark 10:44-45 and whoever wants to be first must be a slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Who has impacted your life? Was it because of their service to others?

This reminds me of my Grandma Bradford and I would answer yes, she did serve others. My Grandma's mother in law lived with her and for 40 yrs she took care of her. When I was sick she took care of me so my mother could go to work. She had a kind, humble servant's heart. I am so blessed to have had her living example in my life just as Jesus was a living example to all of us as well.

Friends, our challenge is to move beyond how we "feel" about others and serve them humbly, even though they are not deserving of it, we need to become that living example that Jesus was for us!

1 Peter 4:10

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime