Truly Serve

I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done, you should also do.  John 13:15

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​Welcome to Holy Week!  My favorite Liturgy of the week is Holy Thursday.  I love this day of Holy Week because it’s the peace before the mayhem!  I don’t like movies or shows that contain suspense or peril.  I love stories of laughter and triumph of the underdog, so I suppose that’s why I love Holy Thursday.  None of the bad stuff has happened yet.  The betrayal, the brutality the deceit and evil…it’s not here yet.  The Last Supper is about Jesus teaching, giving, tending and building up.  

One of the most tender moments in the story of Holy Thursday night is the washing of the feet.  I like to ponder the tenderness and gentleness Jesus showed each of his beloved apostles.  I’ll bet he didn’t rush.  I’ll bet he didn’t see how many extra feet he could wash during his allowed feet washing time block and he probably looked at each of his followers in the eye and focused completely on them when it was their turn.  He was slow and deliberate in the way he served.

It’s unlikely that I will literally be washing anyone’s feet in the near future, but this is a call to service not a call to feet.  Many times a day we have the opportunity to lovingly serve Jesus by serving someone who crosses our path.  What if I lovingly folded my family’s laundry and packed their lunches while praying for them.  What if I touched my husband’s hand lovingly as I handed him his toast and thermos of hot coffee and told him I love him deliberately, lovingly while looking at him intently.  What if I tried to do my tasks of loving service to my family slowly, deliberately and intentionally instead of trying to fly through the day and get a hundred things done.  I think he’s calling us to a “way” of service not just the “task” of service.

As you puddle your way through this Holy Thursday, take some time to consider the lessons Jesus left us with and don’t be afraid to say, Lord please help me see the difference between doing jobs and offering loving service in your name.  Equip me this day with the gentleness and compassion to serve others in your name just like you demonstrated on this Holy Thursday night so many years ago.

A Seed To Plant: Do I need to do more serving or do I need to look at my life and find more Christ-like ways to fulfill the service opportunities I already have?​

Blessings on your day!