Serving can mean many things, from waiting on tables, generally being helpful, to fulfilling a duty or purpose such as “this handbag is not just a cute purse, it also serves as a lunch bag!” and even the common vernacular today “serving looks” (slay.) I can even add that it is even used in several sports as an action verb used to put the ball in play.
What I want to explore with you today, is when we choose to be of service to someone, it is by it’s very nature humbling. I recognize through history and cultures, forced service has made it feel like an undesirable topic (because it is/was). However, by having the freedom to chose to serve others, the needs of someone else are suddenly more important, and it’s not always the easy choice… especially if it means serving someone we don’t know, or even don’t get along with. In essence is, it is much more natural as a human to want to be served, than it is to want to be of service. And while that is how many of us think, (myself included at times!) we aren’t called to this life to always be the benefactor and receive help or services, rather we are called to be of service to others.
In the workplace, I’ve seen people use this term in the professional service industry. For example, someone might say “my job is to serve my clients and make them more wealthy”. That’s not to say that a service is not being provided to a client, it absolutely is, but when I think of true service, someone with a heart to serve others, they aren’t doing it to receive compensation. They are doing it out of grace and love for someone who is in the position to benefit from their help.
What would it look like if we were to bring a heart of servitude into our workplace? How would that change your interactions with those around you? One small way I have noticed the Holy Spirit nudge me is to simply wash dishes. In the office, at home, no matter whose items are dirty, take the extra couple of minutes to clean something for someone else. I don’t expect a thank you, nor do I always know whose dish I am putting away, and furthermore, I find myself naturally recoiling at the thought; I don’t want to do this, someone’s mouth touched this spoon, gross! And yet I hear the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit say, ‘serve them anyway’.
I bring up my small example like a dish here and there, because by serving others even in a small way, I find my heart changes for those around me, and that’s the most beautiful part of all. The more we dive into God’s heart, and His perfect desire for us, I learn it is more than just doing good for others, doing good shapes who we are, and attunes our hearts to hear from Him. So much so, that by listening to His direction for our lives, He will show us how we can show His love to others, often through service. And THAT is the reason serving is important.
My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.
Galatians 5:13 (CEV)
The Greek word for love in this verse is agape love, which as dictionary.com describes it, is a sacrificial form of love, where there is no expectation of anything in return. When we serve others without any ulterior motives, it often shapes us as the person freely showing love to others just as much or more than it might for the person we are serving. Though the person being served will likely notice the act on the surface, depending on the situation, they may be led to a more fruitful relationship with us. For example, if someone’s love language is acts of service, as a spouse they might be more attuned to receiving those small acts of kindness because it makes them feel loved, and that in itself should be a reason for us to desire to serve others. What if living selflessly and serving, allowed those around us to feel loved?
In Mark chapter 10, Jesus reminds us in verse 45 that He came to this earth not to be served, but to serve, and even give up His life for us. How perfect of an example was Jesus?! The creator of the universe loves us so much that rather than forcing His creation to serve Him, he chose to serve us, and by doing so, saved us. Through Jesus, God served all of humanity, so who I am to not wash a couple of dishes!?
Go and be free this week! I encourage you to think of ways you can serve your co-workers, perhaps serve your clients or patients above and beyond your regular duties, or maybe even your family. I will be doing the same. We got this, work bestie.
Her Office Closet 