I was inspired by Big Sister's post a couple of months ago about work, and while I was wondering what to post about today, I came up with the idea to follow on from that and write about servanthood.
The Bible speaks a lot of the importance of having a servant's heart and serving others. Ephesians 6:7-8 says,
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does."
Not only does God call us to serve, but to serve wholeheartedly. Jesus Himself came to serve, as it says in Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve."
So how do we serve others, you might ask. A great place to start is within your own family. There are so many simple ways to serve each other in day-to-day life! Some examples are:
- Cooking dinner for your family
- Folding a basket of washing
- Washing the dishes
- Reading your younger siblings a story, or I know my little sisters love a tea-party!
The important thing is that we serve wholeheartedly, which means with a cheerful, non-complaining attitude; taking initiative by seeing what needs to be done and doing it.
Giving your Mum breakfast in bed when she's sick is a great way to serve. |
Recently my Mum has been really sick with pregnancy nausea. There's been a lot of extra work to do, and it's been a great opportunity for all of us to serve each other to keep the house functioning, from the oldest to the youngest. It is important to remember that as we are serving others, we are serving Christ!
Now picture this. In the days of Jesus, people wore sandals and walked on dry, dusty roads from town to town. So at the end of the day, their feet would have been very, very dirty. Upon entering a house, servants would come and wash the travellers' dirty, smelly feet, which is a job nobody would have wanted to do. (Well, would you?) Now picture this: the God who created the Universe, the sun, moon and stars, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, humbled himself and washed His disciples' feet, the very thing a servant would have done!
Jesus calls each of His children to live a life for Him and in service of others. Luke 9:29 says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
So, when our Mums or Dads ask us to do simple jobs like sweeping the floor or washing the dishes, be encouraged that we are doing what Jesus did: denying ourselves and serving others. No job is too small in Christ's eyes, and the important thing is that we do it cheerfully, with a servant's heart, knowing that we are serving the Lord Himself!
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
~Colossians 3:11
I hope you have been encouraged by this post, may the Lord continue to shine through you as you serve others!
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About The Author
I am a daughter of the Almighty God, second eldest of soon-to-be 9 kids, and homeschooled by my wonderful parents. Lover of music, photography, friends, sewing, babies, bush-dancing, novels, the country, bonfires and letters. I love creating things, the beauty of nature, and enjoying life with my family. We live on a gorgeous two acre property by the coast in the Great Land Down Under, Australia! :)
{click here to visit my blog}
Great post, Alice! (:
ReplyDeleteloved your post! great work, alice!
ReplyDelete~Bri
Wonderful post! Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteBethy
:) Thanks for posting this!
ReplyDeleteit's beautiful and inspiring. Good on you Alice!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless, Bethany.
Thank you! You've all encouraged me heaps. xx
ReplyDeleteThat was so well written Alice - God Bless you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful reminder, and an encouragement!
Isn't being the eldest (or one of the eldest)in a large family, it is a huge role to set the example of joyfully serving - it really does go down the line and it certainly makes for a much more peaceful, happy home!
What you were saying about taking Christ as our example in serving is so true! Thanks so much Alice.
Lots of Love in Christ Jesus our saviour,
Emily (Kate M's elder sister, by the way!!)