We were born to serve. I know it is hard to believe since our parents have told us how special we are and how much the world owes us, but sorry you and I and everyone else was put here to help others.
Think of it this way, did Christ come to server or be served? If you do not know, Christ came to serve.
Matthew 20:28 New International Version (NIV)
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45 New International Version (NIV)
45 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.”
John 13:1-17 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 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.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 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. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
So how can you serve others?
- You can act the way Christ acted so the person knows who Christ was without ever knowing Christ
- You can simply help out where needed at church, school, work, or home
- You can help others that you think are in need be it strangers, friends, or family
There are many ways you can serve. The way you in which you serve can be small or large. It is not about how much you serve, but that you are serving other. I really believe that once you start serving others, you will want to do it more and more.
Most of us are selfish. I know, how dare I call you selfish. Well I also just called myself selfish. Sorry, but that is reality. The flesh wants what the flesh wants and it is very hard to control without God’s help.
Are you serving others? If the answer is no, what is preventing you from serving others?
Do not think that you are better than Jesus. If Jesus came to serve, so should all of us. It will be difficult as people are a pain to deal with and Jesus experienced this first hand. However, it did not prevent Him from still serving others. To be honest, some will be thankful, but others will be very hateful. Those that are hateful will think that you think they cannot help themselves and resent you for this and it does not matter if it is true or not. Others just do not want help for whatever reason and will be very negative for any help they receive. All of this can drain a person just as it did Jesus.
My advice is serve others regardless of how they act. You are not doing it to receive recognition, but because it is what Jesus would do and it is what God expects. When you find yourself being drained, take this time to spend with God to rejuvenate yourself. Pray to God for help. Relax where you can.