Service comes in many forms, but service that is given from the heart rather than for selfish reasons is the kind that Jesus exhibited daily during His thirty-three years on earth. And His service keeps on giving, through His Word and Spirit, that we in turn might serve Him by helping those in need, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
A Servant’s Heart
I watched a family of red foxes near their den one morning. Three of the kits romped and tumbled nearby as the mother lay outside the den entrance, washing the fourth kit. Holding the kit still with one paw, she proceeded to lick it clean from the nose down to the pads of its paws. She worked diligently and thoroughly, showing her mother’s heart throughout the process. What a delightful sight! And to think she had to do this three more times!
Most human parents also take great care of their children. Many parents go much beyond the necessary needs for them, willing and content to take on lowly tasks, the type that often goes unnoticed by others. I once had neighbors who farmed the old-fashioned way. They raised four children with much love, patience, and humility but without the conveniences of a car, a tractor, inside plumbing, or electricity. The father walked two miles to town for groceries, cattle feed, and their other needs. He and his wife saved their earnings from selling milk, enough to give each child a college education. Their lifestyle brought derision from some townspeople but admiration from neighboring farmers who sometimes benefited from the couples’ unselfish service.
Many people in our society perform humble, even onerous, tasks daily. Such people may be easily forgotten, preempted by others who offer more visible, perhaps heroic service. But they deserve as much honor and recognition for their humble acts of service—acts we might shun—as anyone else.
Our best example of humility is Jesus, who not only washed His disciples’ feet but chose to suffer horrendously and undeservedly on the cross for our sins. His example of indescribable love should compel us to look for opportunities to serve others, not only with socially worthy acts but with service that may go unnoticed by others. Jesus teaches us to serve each other as the mother fox served her kits’ needs and the farmer his children’s needs. He used foot washing as an example to show humility, love, and a servant’s heart. Foot washing entails a bending over, which is perhaps the essence of humility. Foot washing today can mean performing any acts of love that cause us to stoop lower than we’re used to—cleaning someone else’s toilet, wiping the drool from an invalid’s chin, or holding a dirty child.
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)
Lord, give us the will and desire to swallow our prideful attitudes and serve You by loving others in even lowly ways. Thank You for Your supreme example of humility, service, and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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