In the process of seeking your area of servanthood, strive to render service in hidden ways.
A number of years ago, I chaired the planning committee for a church convention. It involved 200 churches. It turned out to be an extraordinary event. People left excited. The positive feedback was almost universal as people said, “That’s the best and most useful church convention we’ve ever attended.”
I should have been happy. But I was bummed. The bishop hadn’t taken the time to tell everybody what a wonderful job I had done, or how hard I had worked, or how it had been my vision that had been executed in that convention. (Can you imagine that?)
But one day, as I was sitting in my office, praying, a thought crossed my mind, a thought I’m certain came from God: “Who were you doing all of this for, hotshot, you or Me?”
The world is full of examples of people who live for themselves. It’s the source of all the misery we see in the world and in ourselves. The quicker we learn that life is about the God Who designed us and wants what is best for us, the more quickly we can get down to serving in ways that are useful to God and incidentally, fulfilling to us.
Over the next week, we’ll be looking at types of Christian service compiled by Richard Foster. The first is one we’ve mentioned before: hiddenness. Says Foster: “If all our serving is before others, we will be shallow people...Hiddenness is a rebuke to [our sinful natures]...and can deal a fatal blow to pride [by which, I’m sure, he means arrogance]...”
He goes on: “At first thought it would seem that hidden service is only for the sake of the person served. Such is not the case. Hidden, anonymous ministries affect even people who know nothing of them...It sends ripples of joy and celebration through any community” as people savor the realization that people serve simply because it’s the right response to a giving God’s love.
Try to do good things and not get caught. Strive to render service in hidden ways.
Bible Passage to Ponder: "Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work." (Colossians 3:22-25, The Message)
3 comments:
'Free Busken'. That was funny. You're a radical to the bone.
That's me, man.
To some extent, it was understandable why the woman felt that way. The incident happened at the corner of SR125 and Glen Este-Withamsville/Shayler Roads, where anti-abortion demonstrators often protested in front of the Planned Parenthood offices that were there.
I chose that location not only because of all the daily commuter traffic that went by there, but also because I hoped to foster some positive feelings among people with divergent opinions on the subject of abortion.
To paraphrase Mike Huckabee--no political endorsement intended: "I'm a Christian. I'm just not mad about it."
It's strange that your Huckabee paraphrase resonates. Intellectually, it's not surprising to discover that most people of faith go about their day-to-day business allowing their faith to quietly and meaningfully inform their decisions and color their worldviews. But of course, because of the culture we live in, it's the loudest and most divisive among us that are made defacto representatives of our respective groups.
The goal you set for yourself in choosing the location you did was noble. I wish more people were willing to look past ideological differences in an attempt to connect with our common humanity.
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