“…rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord..” Ephesians 6:7-8
When you think of serving what is the first thing that comes to mind? For me it’s always been putting others before your self and meeting their needs. What I have found and continue to find concerning service is that this definition rarely covers what all service brings to an individual.
This has really been on my mind the first week in Albania. We are working at this incredible kids camp that is put on by World Vision and the man in charge is George. George has been so unbelievably kind to us! We have bunk beds with sheets and pillows. We have bathrooms with showers and toilets. We have cooks that make meals for us every single day. Break times to recharge our batteries, along with two off days! On top of that, George has taken time to cover a proverb a day and discuss the lessons we read. When I found this out, I was overwhelmed by all of the blessings we were given and definitely not expecting. Along with this incredible set up, it didn’t take long to realize that this camp could and does easily run smoothly without our presence or help. That we are more of a bonus than a necessity in their eyes.
With past mission trips, I rarely sat and was constantly doing and going. So with this new scenario where we are given time for ourselves, it really has my mind thinking. When we sign up for missions we have full intentions to pour into everyone and hopefully change hearts, when in actuality our hearts are the ones changing and we are the ones getting poured into the most! Even when we try and fool ourselves with constantly staying busy, we still are learning and growing more than we tend to realize in the moment.
Just from being in Albania for one week, I have been reminded what true servitude is from the amazing staff, what true joy is from kids that come from nothing, and what it truly means to dwell peacefully and patiently in the presence of the Lord.
I have come to find this to be the case in many scenarios in my life, as I am sure you have as well. When we intend to do something for someone else, whether it’s a small act of service, leading a bible study, volunteering for an event, etc., we always end up getting more out of it than intended. I almost feel as if I am ripping everyone off when I come to serve them and leave feeling as if the roles were reversed.
God is so cool how He works and the verse above truly reflects the reality of servitude. When you serve with a heart for the Lord, He returns your actions with abundant blessings and lessons. So whether you feel like you’re serving or being served, don’t hesitate to look for what God is teaching you. Remember that the Lord’s hand is constantly at work in your life and take time to stop, observe and reflect at what He is telling you. Then you can only hope and pray that those you meet and reach are growing and learning even half as much as you are!
