True Love Serves

“Don’t treat me like one of your direct reports!” “You don’t appreciate everything I do for you!”

I did this, you do that … How quickly we can run off on the tit-for-tat race in our marriages, or with our children, tallying up all the things we “deserve” to get. Are we the only ones doing things for the other? Are we noticed and appreciated for all our efforts?

But when we start this record-keeping race, we soon find there is no finish line, and no winners.

On the other path, Jesus shows us the way to our hearts’ desire of real, deep, satisfying love. And like so many other areas, Jesus’s way is the opposite of what we think we have to do.

Jesus says if you want to be honored, serve.

Jesus knew he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given him complete power. So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

John 13:3–4 (CEV)

In his final hours, when he had excruciating agony weighing his heart, Jesus got up from the table … to wash his followers’ feet.

How could he humble himself like that? How could he bend his knee before such selfish people? We see the answer in verse 3: he knew who he was.

Jesus didn’t have to prove himself again to his disciples. He didn’t point out that he was in charge, that he had already done so much for them, that he shouldn’t have to be the one to wash their dirty feet. Instead, more than relying on these people to respect him, love him, and serve him, he trusted God to fill his needs. He humbled himself, willing to do whatever the Father asked of him, always teaching through his actions.

When it comes to serving others, our attitude about ourselves is usually our biggest obstacle. We are too busy with important stuff to take out the trash. We need recognition and gratitude before we cook another meal. We sigh when asked to drive the kids to school again because no one appreciates how much we have to do.

But when we settle into our position as a loved child of God, fully resourced and sent to love and serve others, we can die to ourselves. In a Christian relationship, the race should be who can serve each other most.

When we do that, the Lord rewards us with true love and honor.

PRAY

Lord, sometimes I feel like an unloved, forgotten servant. Help me to know deeply that I am your beloved child, sent to love and serve others. Forgive me for my selfish pride. May our family race to serve each other. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): What gifts has the Father given us? What can we do to serve (and appreciate) each other today?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand their Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Look up the following passages for today:

Matthew 20:26–28

1 Corinthians 13:5–7