Service. Serving. To serve.
What does that mean to you? Do
you think of a waiter? Do you think of a
service member? Do you think of the self-serve buffet? Serving those around you is maybe not the
first thing that comes to mind. Maybe it
is. Serving ones tribe can be tricky. Being called to be of service, to serve
lovingly and without bitterness can feel impossible at times. I struggle here in the very strangest of
ways. Let me explain…
I passionately serve people in my community, in my church
and even strangers I don’t know. I want
to help them, I want to feed them, I want to do the things they need done. I serve on boards, committees and teams. I’ll feed you, clothe you, plan for you, pray
for you. I'll fill a box full of toys and goodies for you. I’ll help you find a job, connect you with a new friend, bake for you,
cook for you and maybe even clean for you.
But when it comes to serving within my own home…now that’s just a whole
thing.
It’s hard to serve your family with a joyful heart day in
and day out. It takes a lot of prayer
and commitment to stay the course. To
give of oneself when oneself is poured out and worn out. I get it.
Dear laundry, I hate you all the time!
Dear dishes, you pile up on purpose I think sometimes! Dear children, didn’t I just feed you! Dear Husband, why do you need a cup of water
in every room! Dear house, please put
yourself on self-clean and move on with it!
I mean it’s constant acts of service around here. The feeding, the toileting, the providing
for. I mean wash, rinse, repeat right?
Well I’m here to say I am guilty of the bitterness of the act of service
for my family. Something that comes so
naturally to me outside of these walls is such a struggle here when it should
be an out pouring of love on the people needing so much of me.
Needing so much of me, this is maybe where the rubber meets the road. It’s because there is so much need, so much
pouring out, so many things for all the persons at Ferrell Farms. And so it becomes a heart issue. If I love God, then I am to serve joyfully,
here’s the word…
Colossians
3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for
men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your
reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
I am serving the LORD in what I do! This should spur me on while I fold the laundry
or stay up late working to keep up.
Philippians 2:5-7 “Have
this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was
in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be
grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born
in the likeness of men.”
I love this verse because it reminds me that Jesus
served us by being emptied out and taking the form of a servant. I mean no clearer picture here of how I
should live. To be emptied out of myself and filled up with the goodness of a
serving heart and mindset. Also, I can
take away from this that GOD will fill me up on those days where I am
completely emptied. He will provide.
Mark 10:45 “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 came to serve and to show us how to serve in selfless
love. I want that. I am determined to serve my sick husband
(he’s the worst sick person of ever) with a happy heart tonight. I am determined to serve these exhausting
little people with the pouring out of myself, in the knowledge that God will
fill me back up again. I am praying this over my life.
Imagine a fountain.
The top tier, pours into the bottom tier, pours into the big basin which
goes back up and starts again. I pour
out only to be re-filled through the act of service. We do not serve alone, the Father is with us
pouring back in as we go. Thank you Lord for that.
FEARFULLY WONDERFULLY and BEAUTIFULLY MADE in his image
girl, that is what you are. Serve your
guts out, to God by the glory! Let us be joyful in our service this week
sisters!
Much Love-
Chrystan
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