It's Your Serve

So what do you think of when you hear the word serve?  Serving in a game of sports?  Serving your family a delicious meal?  Going out to dine, and being served by a waiter or waitress?  Even our computers have servers.

But what did Jesus mean by serve? In Mark 10:45 Jesus says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

Jesus is the quintessential servant; coming to reveal the Kingdom of God to all humanity, spending his time on earth teaching his disciples and crowds of people the calling of God the Father to all mankind, even unto his own death – taking on the sins of a fallen world – opening the door to repentance, forgiveness, and everlasting life.

His example of a servant's heart shows us that without genuine love, we cannot truly serve one another, let alone him.  Romans 12:9-13 states, "Let love be genuine.  Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection.  Outdo one another in showing honor.  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

When I put my world aside, along with my needs and desires, and truly, with genuine love serve others, there’s a satisfaction I experience that is like none other.  Why I only “sometimes” do so, I cannot honestly say.  Perhaps it’s inner selfishness that convinces me that I deserve so much more time “for myself,” to the point that I blind myself to the many, many opportunities I have to not only serve others, but to experience the satisfaction that can only come from an obedient heart.

As I reflect on this season of Easter, I am reminded of the amazing gift of grace and mercy that was poured down upon my life.  I am reminded of a love that is purely genuine, which I could never match.  Yet the giver of this love has called me to be his daughter, called me to repent, called me to forgive as he has forgiven me, and called me to walk in a spirit of servant hood.  

After attending the NY CityServe re:new Conference, with Luis Palau & Francis Chan, I was given an opportunity to register to serve with NY CityServe as they mobilize thousands of church-connected volunteers to serve in the neighborhoods of NYC through unified initiatives.   

Last weekend I was a part of an initiative where there were over 500 volunteers at 11 sites in every borough of NYC - collectively serving family shelters, women’s shelters, pre-K sites, afterschool programs, and city parks in some of the highest need neighborhoods in our city!

I worked with an amazing group of volunteers helping to revitalize the Briarwood Salvation Army – Family Shelter in Jamaica Queens.  I was able to be a part of a team that worked all day painting bathrooms, reorganizing and painting their library, painting 150 hallway doors and trim, and so much more.

As we all spent hours working together, I felt an amazing welling up in my heart with love for all those that would be at this Family Shelter, that they would have refreshed surroundings as they received help in moments of turmoil and uncertainty.

I was also reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”   

Although I was not working directly with those in this shelter, I knew that I had served each one by spending this time with others refreshing their surroundings.  I also knew for sure, that I was serving the Lord on this day.

It’s your serve.