To serve others is sometimes easier said than done. Serving our loved ones is one thing, but to serve those who are not so close is something we may hesitate to do. Wouldn't you agree that everyone needs a little help sometimes?

The last time someone helped me was when I had a flat tire. I was ready to do the job, but I also dreaded it because of uncertainty. The creeping anxiety of the job at hand quickly vanished when aid was offered . I will always be grateful to the men who gave their time to serve me. I think everyone appreciates a helping hand when it's needed.

As followers of Christ, we shouldn't have to think about serving others. Once a month I help a group of women by setting up for their meeting and cleaning up afterwards. To me it isn't a big deal; what I do for them is very minor, and not even really needed, but it makes their meetings easier and they appreciate it. To spend time with these ladies is time I treasure.

We are apart of God's message to the world - a message that says, "You are important and I love you". Jesus was the first to share this message. He served others daily and he taught us that our service to others is important. Sometimes the service given may be minor but there are times when the service given is irreplaceable. Which one you give may or may not be important, but the service you do give to others tells them that they are.

Making a difference in the lives of others--rewarding, satisfying, enjoyable, heartwarming, acceptable, and pleasing to God. (Matthew 20:26-28)

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"But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matt 20:26-28)

Jesus tells us that we are to be different. We are to be different from the world around us by our desire to serve others. This is supposed to be something that Jesus stirs up in us, not some new attitude that we try to force upon ourselves because we feel like it's our duty. Do you find times when you love serving others?
I know that sometimes I find areas where I really do enjoy serving others, and as I do, I serve in a more loving way. I really love to see the response in others when they are lovingly served in an unexpected way. The relationship changes at that moment, and there is a connection. Even if the two (the one serving and the one being served) are very different, for a brief moment they connect.

I remember a time when serving in a ministry role downtown. I was with friends serving the community at Underwood homes. This is a very rough part of town, and we were there just to feed them and have fun with the kids and provide some help for the adults. I remember the excitement on some of the young faces as they were touched with unexpected acts of kindness. Even some of the adults who stood back watching seemed like very normal persons as we spoke with some of them. They certainly had their struggles and we couldn't solve all of them, but for that day, we all enjoyed each other's company. We all experienced God's love in a new way that day.

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After reading Matthew 20:26-28 we should be able to look at the example that Christ gave us and see that we are here as His servants to go and spread His word through love and actions.

This reminds me of holidays or special occasions and how I've matured with age and get so much joy out of surprising someone with a gift or a thoughtful deed...when not so long ago it was more about me than others. I have learned that following after Christ is similar....and you get more joy in serving others than being served. It teaches humility and at the same time ministers to your heart and soul.

You may not be thrilled with your life situation, income, job, etc....but remember that God wants us to serve Him in every aspect of our life, no matter what. 1 Corinthians 10:31 states, "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God".

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Begin by reading Matthew 20:26-28

There was a strong young man, who one day decided to use his savings and purchase a farm. Though he was strong, he despised working and would do anything to avoid breaking a sweat, unless it was to enhance his own physical appearance.

The land in which the farm was on was barren. Even the weeds were brown and feeble. The strong young man wanted his farm to flourish with crops, but dreaded the thought of working in the hot sun. He went into town and posted signs requesting a servant to tend his field.

Several days later, an elderly man with a long dirty beard walked down the strong young man's long rocky driveway. He approached the strong young man, handed him the sign he had posted and said that he would work, but would accept no pay. The strong man, although disgusted by his appearance, gladly accepted his outstanding offer. The elderly man went straight to work. He grabbed his equipment and a large bag of seeds and began to tend the fields.

As time went on, the field began to bloom with all kinds of crops; corn, sunflowers, watermelons, apple trees, the supply of food was endless. The elderly man worked for the strong young man for years to come.
As the hard working man slaved over the yard, the strong young man would watch him from inside his house. As time went on he began to see that this elderly man was not afraid of work at all, even if there was nothing to gain for himself. That day, a seed was planted in the strong young man's heart. He couldn't understand how an old man could work so hard, and become so dirty, and not worry about receiving a pay. That day he realized that that old man was far greater in strength than he could ever be. He left the window and went outside. He grabbed a basket and began to pick apples with the elderly man. The elderly man looked at him in surprise, smiled, and continued to work.

You see, the elderly man learned a long time ago that to become great you must first become a servant. Now through his actions he has planted more than a farm, he has planted a blooming life in the strong young man. The elderly man's intention was not to work in vein at all; his intention was to plant that spiritual seed in the strong man's heart.

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