Serve, Not be Served
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
For most of my years at camp, I had the privilege of serving along side the one and only David Ralston Vining. Anyone that had the same privilege will tell you that he is one of a kind. It doesn’t take but a few minutes of being in his presence for you to automatically know two things about him.
One, he remembers everyone’s middle name. And two, he is a servant. A REAL SERVANT. He was always the first one to start sweeping the dining hall floor and the last one at the courts picking up balls. I remember thinking, is this guy for real? Is he always like this?
I will never forget the tennis staff starting each day with morning devotions. In his corny way of making a pun out of serving a tennis ball, he would remind us daily that Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. And, that in our roles as counselors and tennis coaches, we should do the same.
The example of servitude that he modeled consistently (and always with a smile) had a huge impact on my life. He taught me what it meant to serve others. I learned that serving will usually cost me something; it is sacrificial.
David wasn’t in a mud hut in a third world country, but he was serving just the same. Jesus has called us to serve no matter where we are. And you don’t have to be a counselor to do it.
Think you are too young? You are never to young to start serving others. My son picks up pinecones for our elderly neighbors - he just turned five. My daughter walks a special needs child to her class – she is now eleven.
No matter your age and no matter where God has you, look for someone to serve. Serving others is paramount in the life of a Christian. You would be surprised how many could use your help. You might also be surprised that when serving others, you are the one that receives the bigger blessing.