I don't usually make New Year's resolutions, but I've made one this year, and it's to be a better servant. Not just of the Lord but also of those around me - at work, at home, anywhere I go. In preparation, I asked myself, "What does it look like to be a good servant?"
To answer this question, it's natural that we look to Jesus himself, "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 10:45 NIV)
We know the greatness of Jesus' character and how He extends Himself to us through the Holy Spirit. And I hope we know how deep His love is for us, so deep that He took it to the cross. But do we know some practical ways that Jesus served others? We can't die on a cross to save souls, but what are some tangible examples that we can apply to our own lives today?
1. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:13-14 NIV)
We, too, can serve strangers when it's inconvenient, when we don't want to or didn't plan to. Jesus sought some well-deserved alone time and was interrupted by scores of people. Not only did He heal the sick, but He also hung around to help feed five thousand! When interruptions happen in our lives, rather than huffing and puffing (which I admit I do), we can be open to servanthood opportunities.
2. Jesus served women by respecting them and not being condescending when others were - like the story in John 8 of the woman caught in adultery. We, too, can serve both women and men by treating all honorably, regardless of what they've done.
3. Jesus washed His disciples feet in John 13, a filthy task that no one wanted to do. Can you think of a task at work or at home that no one wants to do? Do it!
I think, next holiday season, instead of organizing Secret Santas, we should plot to be Secret Servants. Think of how much fun that would be! Like a game of "Who can do the most good?" A game that can bring victory in our relationship with the Lord.
When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out. (Matthew 6:4 MSG)
When we serve, we not only grow closer to God, we grow to be more like Him!
Servanthood is leadership. When someone serves me, they give me an example of how I can serve others. That example, if I'm turned into it, can lead me to serve.
And what can come of that?
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 MSG)
The cycle of servanthood to leadership to servanthood changes minds, changes hearts and can change the world.
You might have a new year's resolution of your own, and you don't have to adopt mine, but I would encourage you to consider - How do the people in your life serve you? How can you serve them? How can you serve people whom you've never met?
Written by Elyse Jankowski
Community Relations Associate
It’s time for New Year's resolutions. I have made many over the years. Some have been broken within the first week of the new year; some have lasted a little longer. Almost none have lasted beyond January. They have been varied, such as my annual resolution to lose weight, or my hope to do a better job of keeping in touch with friends. I am sure you can add your own resolutions, made with good intentions each year, and then soon forgotten.
I have a new resolution this year. Some years ago, I received a key chain from my son. It is simply a ring to hold keys and attached to a leather lace that has four pewter beads. These beads are embossed with the letters W W J D - "What would Jesus do?"
I have carried that key chain for almost twenty years. The leather lace has been replaced, and the keys have been changed as I moved to different locations. But the message has always been the same and is appropriate in every situation - "What would Jesus do?"
This year, I am not going to make resolutions that I know will not last very long, no matter how good my intentions are. I am simply going to ask myself that very important question whenever I face a moment of indecision. It reminds me of the story of a church in Strasbourg, France.
During World War II, a church in Strasbourg was destroyed. Nothing remained except a heap of rubble and broken glass, or so the people thought, until they began clearing away the masonry. Then, they found a statue of Christ still standing erect. In spite of all the bombing, it was unharmed except that both hands were missing. Eventually, rebuilding of the church began.
One day, a sculptor saw the figure of Christ, and offered to carve new hands. The church officials met to consider the sculptor's friendly gesture - and decided not to accept the offer. The message of the broken sculpture remains even today. Christ has no hands to minister to the needy or feed the hungry or enrich the poor - except our hands. He inspires. We perform.
While serving with The Salvation Army in Germany, I visited an elderly woman, living alone in a small, sparsely furnished apartment in Stuttgart. I spent some time with her, giving her an opportunity to share what was on her mind. Before I left, I asked her if I might pray with her. She agreed readily, and I took her hands in mine and bowed my head and prayed, asking God to bring a special awareness of His presence with her in her loneliness. When my prayer was finished, she thanked me and said, "You are the first person who has touched me all week!" That little gesture of kindness assured her she was not forgotten. It was what Jesus would have done.
That's what I want to do in 2015; I want to ask myself that question each and every day. I know Jesus will guide me to do what He wants. How about you?
Written by Gloria Hohn
Asbury Park Corps
