The blessing of service

I was the gofor. If the Judges needed something, I ran out and got it. If they needed to be driven somewhere, I pulled up in my van. I held the door for them, I ran out and got pitchers of water, I escorted them and tried to make their time in Connecticut a good experience.

It was no big deal for me for I have always considered myself a servant. That is the essence of ministry. Like Christ, we are called to love and to serve rather than sit back and be served. It is a foreign concept in this world we live in though. Even in the church we sometimes get it confused. Pastors, priests, bishops and elders like to take seats of honor and be served. That's not really Christ's way.

Don't let this be an excuse to abuse your clergy or church leaders. Those who serve us should be honored. Jesus was very clear about this. He said the greatest among us are those who are willing to serve others. He had a great respect for us when we put our egos aside and do something kind and noble for someone else.

Jesus also promised that those who are the least shall be the first. This past weekend I experienced that. After spending two days working with the Judges of the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Pageant, the night of the show came. As I escorted the Judges to their seats and got them settled in, I turned and was then ready to take my seat. I almost fell over when the Producer of the show told me where to sit. I was sitting front and center with the best seat in the house.

I couldn't help but think of Jesus. Those who serve will be first in the kingdom. It applies to pageants too I guess. The truth is that it applies to everything if you have that mind within you. You will be blessed, if not with great seats, then with the knowledge that you have been a blessing to someone else.

So go out and serve the Lord and see what happens.

Cal