This is the first of a six-part series on how New Life’s core values – Risk, Safety, Honor, Fun, Next Steps – and serving go hand-in-hand. First though, let’s take a take a brief look at what it means to serve.
There are a multitude of references to serving in Scripture. There is one in particular that stands out among them. At the Last Supper Jesus does the work of a servant and washes all of the Disciples feet. A dirty job that no one of any authority ever performed. Why? The same reason He also went to the cross, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, ESV)
Jesus served each of us when He went to the cross and died for us. His love is so immense and He used that love to serve. Love is an essential component to serving. When you realize God loves you enough that He would send Jesus to the cross and Jesus loved you so much He willingly went there all to redeem you, it allows that same love to overflow from you.
In serving we harness that love and use what we have been given by God to serve one another through Jesus’ example. Peter wrote “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good steward’s of God’s varied grace:” (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
What gifts have you been given that you can use to serve? Sometimes it’s a talent or strength such as teaching, technical, or musical skills. Sometimes it’s access to financial gifts. Sometimes it’s simply the physical ability to help others with a task. Whatever God has blessed you with, He has done so that you may be a blessing to others.