Good Service
My man and I plopped down at a table in the crowded restaurant. We were in a new town, and the menu was foreign to us — so many choices. I was so thankful for our waitress. She approached the table and introduced herself with a smile. She was open, friendly, and knowledgeable. She guided us to the right choices, and she remained close by throughout the meal — always available, always ready but not crowding us. Before our dinner arrived, she blessed us with a free appetizer since we were “new folk.” What a great night! This girl performed her job well, and I still remember that evening — I long to go back.
As a Jesus Chick, I am called to be a servant, one who helps others and points them toward choosing Christ. Am I being attentive, but not overbearing? Do I share the truth with grace and clarity? Are others attracted to my Savior because of the gifts of compassion that I freely share? Will people develop a hunger for God through interacting with me as his representative?
I must confess that my “attract-ability quotient” as His ambassador could use some improvement. I grow weary too easily when “pesky people“ don’t show an appetite for Him. I claim that I want to be “fruitilicious,” yet I am reluctant to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty.
Good service requires self-sacrifice and commitment to the needs of others. Will I stay the course and serve with a smile? This prayer from Paul’s epistle to the church at Colosse has challenged my selfishness :
We pray that you’ll live well for the Master,
making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard.
As you learn more and more how God works,
you will learn how to do your work.
We pray that you’ll have the strength
to stick it out over the long haul—
not the grim strength of gritting your teeth
but the glory-strength God gives.
It is strength that endures the unendurable
and spills over into joy,
thanking the Father who makes us strong enough
to take part in everything
bright and beautiful that He has for us” (1:10-12, MSG).
I meet “new folk” all the time who are confused by the many choices on the menu of life. My job is to whet their appetite for the food the truly satisfies. I must stop gritting my teeth in order for His joy to flow freely and spill over on to their plates.
Q4U: How do you practice “good service?” Any tips?
For 2013, my one-word focus is “Fruitilicious.” Check out what that means here.
Joining like-minded sisters today at Playdates with God, Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday, and Soli Deo Gloria.
Thank you for such a blessed post – May we always give good service to those God brings in our pathway.
Thanks for stopping by, Hazel! 🙂
I remember i was talking to someone who said, “You weren’t a Christian last year, were you?” But I was, I was just NOT being a Christian!!! I was what we call here in the Philippines, “masungit” or cranky!!!! And he remembered. How absolutely awful. This experience has helped me to be nicer, more encouraging, more friendly!!!
Living it out is hard on “those days” — when I wake up with the cranky spirit. I can relate!
What a great analogy, Lyli. Do you know that hospitality is a big part of our mission at The High Calling? This post reminds me of that and encourages me to take a fresh look at that part of my spirit-life on a personal basis. Thanks for that!
I have to remember that hospitality is more than just opening up the doors of my home… it’s opening up my well-guarded heart…
Love your analogy 🙂 So apt…to have a servant attitude/helpful…Thanks, Lyli 🙂 Linked up behind you at Jen’s
Thanks for stopping by, Dolly. 🙂
Soooo glad you’re back in the saddle, girl! I love this line: “Will people develop a hunger for God through interacting with me as his representative?” and the idea of being attentive but not overbearing. Hugs to you and thanks for the reminder! Love ya! 🙂
Thanks, Michelle. I am praying that God will help me to do better in this area. Hugs right back at ya!
My favorite server is at our local Olive Garden. We love her and because of that we always want to go back – I want to be a server of God with that effect!
Me, too! The sad thing is that “good service” is hard to find these days — I am praying that God helps me live out my faith more effectively.
I love Paul’s words in the Message translation. And I think today I’m going to define myself as a Jesus chick 🙂 Hope your week’s great one, Lyli.
Thanks for stopping by, sweet sister. I love the word pictures in The Message translation — always opens up my eyes to a new way of seeing a verse.