Running to serve not running away
When all of the fluff is blown away and the stark reality of a situation is exposed, that is when we are able to find out what a person is really made of and what kind of a person they really are. It has been said that cracks show up under pressure, and that is especially true when it comes to those virtues which separate the great believers from those simply playing along.
One can only imagine the shock those recruited by Jesus to be His disciples when the reality of what Jesus wanted of them was shown. Once those men found out that Jesus demanded such things as obedience, honesty and FAITH; they were thrust into situations where they could not hide in the shadows or pretend to be someone they weren't.
It is very easy to simply be a part of a large congregation, attend worship services weekly, make offerings and perhaps even attend a prayer meeting. When it becomes hard is when situations arise that demand sacrifice, out of the ordinary giving and the depth of compassionate care. The pressurized situations arising from need separate the REAL believers from the rest.
Have you ever noticed the different reactions people have when confronted with an emergency or crisis in their family or with a friend? Some people drop everything and do anything to help. These people are like the wonderful saints who show up at the home of someone who just passed away with food and other necessities to handle the incoming mourners. Thank God there are some whose reaction to a crisis is to jump in with both feet to help in any way they can.
There are others who voice their willingness to help and SAY they will do this and do that but rarely do much of anything. Unfortunately, these people are trapped by their own fears or lack of discipline. The will to help is there but the ability to actually do it is not.
Then there are those who seem to vaporize the minute a crisis hits. They can be your bestest buddy one day and then when you need a best buddy, they cannot be found. They don't pick up their phones, email or do anything. Their attitude is one of non-involvement due to wanting to not interrupt their precious schedule or resources intended for self pleasure.
At the very root of Christian service is the desire and willingness to run to serve. Isn't it interesting that a vital part of the training Jesus provided for His disciples involved service? Jesus initially had the disciples feed the multitudes and other chores normally associated with low level servants.
Jesus said that he who is first among you must be the greatest servant. Jesus got down on his knees and washed the feet of his disciples the night of the last supper. Jesus was willing to do whatever it took to help someone, irrespective of personal cost or sacrifice. Jesus manifested the love we all should strive to emulate through our willingness to forget ourselves and selflessly give of all we have and are to help those in far greater need than we.
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Author: blessings2you
Location: Warrenton Missouri USA
Gender: Male
Age: 57
Blog Entries: 826 (archive)
Blog Comments: 1356
god called me to serve him when i was 16 years old while on a church work trip in new mexico in 1969. in the 40 years since; i attended bible school/leadership training, been ordained to the christian ministry and worked full time for a non-denominational ministry for nearly ten...
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in 1969 god stepped in and transformed my life as a sixteen year old teenager. after a couple of years of intense emotional ups and downs, i decided i needed a firm foundation in my life that went beyond emotional experiences. it was the decision to become involved with a...
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