Committed To Serve
Thinking back to my teenage years.... every
Thursday evening after dinner, my parents would run errands and leave my older
sister, my younger brother and I to do dishes and clean house. Each of us would
have been assigned chores that were expected to be finished by the time they
came home that evening. To a teenager who didn't care to do housework, that
couple of hours my parents would be gone seemed like an eternity! We had quite
a list and did not have time to play or dilly dally. My parents instilled in
all of us a work ethic.
I didn't realize back then that not only
was I taught work was important, but I also learned that knowing how to work
would give me a sense of accomplishment and it also gave me the ability to help
and serve others as I aged. I can tell you that mopping floors, sweeping
carpets and stairs, cleaning bathrooms, and polishing furniture was no picnic.
We didn't jump for joy when Thursday came around knowing there was not only
homework and dishes to do, but our bedrooms also had to be in order. Yes, there
would be times we tried to get out of some responsibilities, but ultimately, we
wanted our parent's approval and knew shortcuts were bad decisions.
Now that I am older I find that
"work" can be a friendly word when it comes to helping or serving
others. Paul wrote in Titus 2:7, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern
of good works...". In Verse 9 he says, "Exhort servants to be
obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not
answering again;" (or, don't talk back).
Jesus said in Mark 9:35, "....If any
man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of
all." Over and over again Jesus stressed and told parables and stories
concerning servanthood. He demonstrated at the Last Supper His own servant
attitude when He washed the Disciple's feet. In Luke 22:27 He said, "...I
am among you as he that serveth."
In the Old Testament, Ruth was a wonderful
example of a servant, not by profession, but in her attitude, especially toward
her mother-in-law, Naomi. How many daughters-in-law would leave their own
family they are so close to to follow their bitter, widowed mother-in-law to a
strange land and culture where they knew no one? What would drive an outsider
and a heathen such as Ruth to do such a kind and committed act toward Naomi and
a people who had been enemies of her people? What would cause Ruth to express
compassion to her mother-in-law after bidding her and her sister-in-law to go
back to their own mothers to say in Ruth 1:16-17, "... Entreat me not
to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest,
I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people,
and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried:
the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
Ruth was a reminder to Naomi of her loss,
yet she was committed. There was something Ruth picked up in her 10 years of
knowing her in-laws that endeared her to Naomi and her people and was willing
to leave everything she had ever known in her world to serve a strange people
and their God. In Ruth 1:14 it says, "...but Ruth clave unto her".
She was fastened to Naomi and wasn't budging! She was willing to do whatever she
needed to, even to die for Naomi. This was no easy task and would have taken
long serious thought in order to make such a life decision!
Ruth had a committed servant's heart! The
book of Ruth tells us that she was willing to work to provide sustenance for
Naomi and herself by going out to the fields with the reapers to glean corn.
She happened upon part of a field belonging to Boaz, a relative of her deceased
father-in-law, and she quickly found favor with him. It was revealed to Boaz
everything Ruth did for Naomi and he wanted to reward her and protect her. Then
eventually, he married her. Because of her commitment and willingness to serve
someone who should have been an enemy, God showed her favor and He blessed her.
Ruth eventually became the great grandmother of David and in Matthew 1:5 she is
mentioned in the lineage of Jesus.
Hard work and servanthood is synonymous in
God's Kingdom just like obedience and humility. When we are committed to serve
our sisters (and brothers) in The Lord, or anyone for that matter, even an
"enemy," and we serve with a willing and pure heart whether we agree
with them or not, there are rewards awaiting us. They may not be apparent at
the moment we think they should be, but in God's time, whether it is here in
this life or the next, we shall reap our reward.
Galatians 6:9 says: "And let us not be
weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not".
Who knew all those years ago when I was
washing windows and weeding gardens as a youth that some day blessings would
come my way in commitment to doing for others? And believe me, they have. Paul
said in Acts 20:35, "...It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Whether we serve by giving of ourselves in actions, encouraging words, or
offerings, we bless those to whom we are committed to serve and we ourselves
are also blessed..... everyone wins!
-Written By: Becky Spann
