Be a Servant? The Choice is Yours
“I have been Vera’s servant for literally my whole life!” my six year-old daughter announced the other night as she stormed into the kitchen, sent on an errand by her older sister.
“Vera said she wants me to get her a cup of water!”
No sooner had the words left her mouth, than her eyes caught mine and a knowing look passed between us; one fellow cupbearer to another. Of course she had been the recipient of countless cups of water from me in her short lifetime.
“You don’t have to get her a cup of water if you don’t want to,” I offered.
Her little mind clicked to process my words as I opened the fridge. “Slice of pepperoni for a bedtime snack?”
She took a bite and then squinted through the hole at me. I couldn’t help but chuckle at how quickly her wild emotions settled down in favor of receiving a snack. I was struck by the gift it is to be the Lord’s servant, a gift I can so easily despise.
Each and every time I serve my spouse, I am serving the Lord. He doesn’t lord this calling over me, He invites me to taste and see that it is good because He is good. He invites me to find out for myself that a truly satisfying life is found here, in a life of servanthood. This is the freedom found in the upside-down ways of grace.
Our world would have us believe it would kill us to put another’s needs ahead of our own. If we do that, we’ll end up oppressed or emasculated. “I will have no part of that,” we proudly announce as we busy ourselves with self-promotion, self-protection, and self-amusement.
Into our lives comes the machete of God’s Word to forge a new path that challenges our feelings and opinions at every turn.
“…whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant…For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43, 45)
Just before my daughter turned to go back upstairs she said, “I’ll bring Vera a cup of water.”
“That’s so nice of you, sweetie. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”
Have you been filled by Jesus lately or are your emotions running wild? Are you trusting Jesus’ way to greatness or going the way of the world? Ask Him how to best serve your spouse this week—not because you have to, but because He first served you at the cross, laying down His life for yours. What is a cup of water compared to that?
