Page 13 - September 2023 - Truth & Tidings

and inaccurate, for every believer has been The Challenges
made a servant. Every Christian has been Servant challenges are many. There’s the
given abilities and a function to carry out all-important issue of our life’s purpose.
in advancing the Lord’s great purposes. So Whom will I honour and obey – the Lord
are you involved in this great work, and first or myself? “No one can serve two
are you reflecting the same characteristics masters” (Mat 6:24 ESV). Time and age
of servanthood as our Lord Himself? As are also a challenge. We can’t retrieve lost
already noted, He was marked by humil- time for service, but Peter exhorts us to
ity and tender compassion. When none of use “the rest of our time” for the will of
the disciples would stoop to wash His feet, God (1Pe 4:2). Again, the exhortation is
He graciously laid aside His garments clear: “Son, go work [serve] today in my
and knelt to wash theirs. It was the work vineyard” (Mat 21:28). Discouragement is
of a slave – of Gentiles – but the mighty always a pressing factor in service. Service
Creator Himself stooped to wash the feet can be exhausting, especially when no one
of His own. Are we willing to stoop, to bothers to help and few ever say “Thank
refresh those around us, to show spiritual you.” Martha in the kitchen can attest to
care and love for struggling believers or that! Failure can be a crushing experience
for those who have no hope? It’s note- and a tremendous challenge to overcome.
worthy that when the prodigal son finally Mark must have lamented leaving the
stopped to assess his sad condition, it was frontlines of service when the going was
“the servants” in his father’s house that tough but, wonderfully, he was restored
suddenly became attractive to him. But and became a helpful servant in the work.
there’s also a very practical side to our
servanthood for we are now “the hands The Reward
and feet” of our risen but absent Lord. Amid great challenges, there is the
We are His agents, His representatives, assurance of wonderful rewards. The
His workmen in meeting the needs of the Lord’s own statement is so encouraging:
work. As Colossians 3 teaches, whatever “If anyone serves Me, him My Father
we do in relation to those around us, we will honor” (Joh 12:26 NKJV). There is
are to do it heartily for, ultimately, we immediate reward and joy in just doing
are “serving the Lord Christ” (v24). That something “for the Lord.” Mary’s words to
includes our labors in the home, at our the servants at the Cana wedding feast are
secular jobs, in the local church or in our pivotal: “Whatever He says to you, do it!”
interactions with individuals. Outstand- (Joh 2:5 NKJV). And the result was joy and
ing spiritual men were commissioned to blessing for all. Millions of believers live
wait on tables (Act 6); a diligent sister, with little fanfare or recognition but know
Phoebe, was commended as a “servant that “God is not unjust so as to overlook
of the church” (Rom 16:1); a rough fisher- [their] work and the love that [they] have
man, Peter, was asked to lend the Lord his shown for his name in serving the saints”
boat (Luk 5:1-3); a caring hostess, Martha, (Heb 6:10 ESV). Wouldn’t it be wonderful
invited a crowd into her home (Joh 12:2); to ultimately stand before our Lord (as
failing but faithful disciples were given we all will do) and hear His words, “Well
the Great Commission (Mar 16:15). All of done, good and faithful servant”? I think
us “no-namers” have been given a part in at that point we may well think, “I wish I
His service to be done as “unto Himself.” had given Him more.”

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