The Transforming Power of Service at Workনমুনা

Service – Doing the things anyone can do.

You’ve probably imagined the scene dozens of times over the years. Jesus was surrounded by the twelve men he had been walking with for three years. He had called them, taught them, invested in them, released them to do ministry, and now was preparing them for His departure.

They were in a borrowed room celebrating the Passover meal. This was an annual and very predictable meal that the Jewish people had celebrated for generations. Each of the disciples had observed this meal since they were boys. They knew what was on the menu, and they knew the script for the evening.

But Jesus did something that no one expected. He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

That’s usually the picture that comes to mind when we think about service at work… we’re willing to do the tasks that anyone can do, but nobody does. Jesus certainly modeled that. And we need to be team players who set up chairs for the meeting, who help clean up after the lunch and learn, and offer our assistance to our coworkers.

Acts of service are critical for Christian leaders for three simple reasons:

1. It is one of the most practical ways to live out our faith at work. Every time we stoop to serve, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus.
2. It puts us in a posture of humility. I can’t think of any other quality one could possess that would make the gospel more attractive to those we work with.
3. Practicing service will train our hearts and minds to look for other opportunities to serve. As Fr. Richard Rohr says, “You do not think yourself into a new way of living as much as you live your way into a new way of thinking.”

Take a moment to consider:

• How am I doing when it comes to service?
• Where do I have opportunities to serve today?
• Who have I overlooked that I can serve more generously?

Close in Prayer