How can you serve?
Perhaps one of the most famous speeches ever written was John F. Kennedy’s speech that contained the mantra, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?” It was his inaugural speech and it was written in 1961. He asked all Americans to ask themselves that question.
I think it’s still a good question. We have drifted far away from public service. We have become a society that wants and expects to be served. We have become entitled and we often ask what the government can do for us rather than the other way around.
I think this new ideal has trickled into our churches as well. When we visit a church, our initial question is often, “What can this church offer me?” ” Are there strong youth and children’s programs?” ” Are there Sunday school classes in place?” ” Are there ongoing Bible studies?” ” What can I get out of it?”
But, perhaps the better questions are, “How could I serve in this church?” “Is there any place here where I can use my gifts and talents?” “Can I help make a difference here?” “Is this a place where I can really serve Christ?” “Can I learn more and become more like Jesus here?”
We really don’t even have to leave the church where we are to ask these questions, but they are questions that need to be asked. The heart of Christianity is love and service grows out of love. No, service doesn’t get us into heaven. But, once we know Jesus, we are supposed to want to grow to be more like him.
That requires more work and commitment than sitting on a pew on Sunday. Jesus was a man who washed his followers’ feet. He wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty to show his love for humanity. He fed the hungry and healed the sick and touched countless lives in his short three years of ministry here on earth. In the end, he willingly paid the ultimate sacrifice with his own life. Then after the resurrection, forgave his followers who doubted him. He even cooked them a meal. Love, forgiveness and service were huge in his ministry.
So perhaps if we truly want to know Jesus better, we should try to act more like him. Maybe our first question should be, “What can I do to serve God?” If that becomes our mantra, then it spills over into church life. When we have a church full of people who are willing to serve, that spills over into our communities. It just grows bigger and bigger, until perhaps once again, we become a country full of citizens who ask themselves how they can serve their country and not the other way around. We can become a country who makes God proud.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong of the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9
What can you do to serve?
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂