This Easter I was given a gift. A fresh reminder not only of what Jesus has done for me, but how he lived his life here on earth. In America, it is so easy for this day to be frosted over with what we will wear to church, what we got in the easter basket, and chocolate easter bunnies. Easter has been the first big celebration for B squad away from family and friends. It provided a chance to take a step back and see how much value we’ve placed on the things in our life. Do we let our circumstances and location dictate our perspectives?
It was hot that day. I was also fighting a cold. Everyone was a little homesick. I was fighting to stay positive. My team and I dressed up in what was most like what we would’ve worn for church back home. We went to the church for Easter service in Nepali. We were able to sing one of the choruses in Nepali that had been taught to us at the beginning of the month. I tried to stay engaged as best I could, without understanding what was being said. Towards the end of the service, we joined in communion. As the service continued, my focuses began to shift.There were two other small congregations that had come together for this easter service. After communion the pastor and his wife called up the leaders of the other churches. They then began to wash their feet. The pastor washed the feet of the men, and his wife, the feet of the women.
I was so touched to see their servant hearts. It was such an example to me of Christ and how he came not to be served, but to serve. It was even more touching to see the humbleness of those whose feet were being washed. You could tell by the look on their faces and the tears in their eyes they did not consider themselves worthy of such an honor. The pastor even had to go out into the church congregation to bring some of them up front.
What took me most by surprise, was when the pastor’s wife called me and my team up to have our feet washed as well. I didn’t consider myself worthy to have my feet washed by such an amazing couple, whom I had come to serve. I almost didn’t go up, but The Holy Spirit told me to go, so I obeyed. It made me think about when Jesus washed the disciple’s feet. What if they had refused to let Jesus wash their feet? What would they have missed out on? I have read that story many times, but had never really understood what it would actually feel like to be in their position.
That experience was one of the most, if not the most humbling of my life so far. It reached deep down to something inside me, and changed how I want to live my life. It made the servant heart and humility of Jesus come to life for me. As hard as it was to receive, by obeying The Holy Spirit, I was allowing them to be obedient to what The Holy Spirit was doing in their lives too. Jesus showed me that day that allowing others to serve me is necessary not only to be a reminder of how I am to serve, but to teach others to serve.
How can you better serve those around you today?
