SERVICE 

"Shane Battier was my Vacation Bible School Teacher" read a sign at a recent basketball game between Duke and Michigan at the NCAA Basketball Tournament. When he was just 16, Battier went to see his pastor to ask if he could teach in the church's VBS, because he didn't feel he could be a "whole person" if he ignored his "spiritual side." 

Shane Battier, the 6-foot-9-inch stand out for the Duke University's basketball team is a whole person today. Scouts and the press have had their eye on him before he was a teenager, and he hasn't disappointed them. Though some might think a man of his height and athletic stature would have his head in the clouds, he has his feet firmly planted on the ground. The committed Christian is a religion major and is still tending to his "spiritual side." 

—Religion Today, March 20, 2000 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

"And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." (Mark 9:35 NASB) 

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SERVICE 

Bill Erkes spends 10 hours a day, five to six days a week in his workshop, earning no payment for his work, and giving away everything he makes. Erkes is a retired airline pilot who spends his time making wooden crosses that he gives away to churches, youth Bible camps, traveling missionaries, and religious groups. Though his operation resembles a small business enterprise, Erkes says it is only a hobby. 

Erkes says, "I don't look for rewards. I know it sounds corny, but it’s the truth." He adds "There is something about working in the workshop when your realize you might be doing something our Savior did thousands of years ago." 

Erkes uses wood from trees he cuts down himself, trimming branches off in his workshop. He creates mainly ten-inch tall freestanding crosses, but also creates some small enough to fit in a missionary's pocket and others large enough to anchor a church altar. The crosses have traveled around the world. Erkes has received cards from hospital patients in Spokane Washington, and a missionary from New Zealand. The missionary had attended a prayer conference where Erkes sent crosses. 

Erkes says the reason he works so hard is simple. "I had time when the requests came in," he says "I've never done any advertising. It may sound corny, but I love the Lord… and I'd like to learn better to serve him, and this is just one way my so-called talents can be used toward his kingdom." 

—http://www.umc.org, Retiree's Cross-Building Hobby Touches People Around the Globe, by Amy Green, March 24, 2004, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

Col. 3:17 NIV “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 

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SERVICE 

Every Tuesday evening a crowd gathers at a home in a well-worn suburban neighborhood south of Chicago. Among those attending the meetings are drug users and problem gamblers. These meetings have a different purpose- evangelizing new Christians and to build their faith. 

More than 20 people from age 9 to 63 gather every week on foot or in vehicles that fill the cramped street, to praise God, and learn about His love. 

The meetings are led by Nathan & Angela Thomas, who are the youth/children’s pastors at a new church plant in this neighborhood. Nathan and Angela left a secure position at church in Nebraska to join Nathan’s parents in starting this new outreach. When asked why he chose to give up a secure position to risk reaching out to this blue-collar Chicago neighborhood, Nathan says, “ We had no money. But the scariest thing to me isn’t lack of money—it’s being out of the will of God.” 

—Pentecostal Evangel, Suburban church plant grows, July 14, 2002. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” 

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SERVICE 

In the book, Leading with Love…and getting more results, Neil Eskelin tells the story of Clyde the carpenter. Clyde had spent most of his career working for one contractor. He felt it was time to retire. Although Clyde hadn't saved a great deal or money, he thought he and his wife would scrape by. 

A few days later, Clyde went to his boss and announced that he was too tired to build any more houses. Therefore, he had decided to retire and call it quits. 

A few days later, the contractor came to Clyde and asked him to reconsider and build one final house. The contractor pleaded, saying, "I really need your supervision. Please." 

Clyde finally agreed and began working on his final project. His heart wasn't in the work anymore, so his workmanship was shoddy and fell far below Clyde's usual high standard. The house barely passed the final inspection. 

On the final day of construction, the contractor called all of his employees together. He also asked Clyde and his wife to be present that day. The boss announced, "This is Clyde's last day with us. He has been a faithful employee of this company for years, and we want to do something special to honor him. Clyde, this house you have built is not going to be sold. We are giving it to you and your wife as a gift for many years of faithful service. This is your retirement home, one I know you will enjoy for the rest of your days!" 

Neil Eskelin says, "Clyde had just learned the greatest lesson of his life." 

Phil 2:3-4."Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." 

—Leading with Love…and getting more results, Neil Eskelin, pg 71-72, published by Revell, a division of Baker Book House. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

For more information on Leading with Love, go to: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800757424/freshministry 

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SERVICE 

Kurt Warner, the quarterback of the St. Louis Rams says he wanted to win the Super Bowl in 2002, but the most important thing for him was giving glory to God before, during, and after the game. 

Two years prior, Warner led the Rams to a Super Bowl championship. Many fans believed the Rams would win again, but the New England Patriots captured the championship with a last second field goal to break a 17-17 tie. 

Warner said, "Who wins and who losses isn't the determining factor in what he gives each one of us. It's how we're going to glorify God and how we are going to give Him praise in a winning situation, in a losing situation, in an 'up' time, in a 'down' time - I don't think it matters - but I think He cares about every one of us, and He cares about every situation that we're in." 

—http://headlines.agapepress.org, February 8, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

As I get older I realize I will never play in a Super Bowl or World Series Game. Kurt Warner's words remind me where the real success in life is. Every moment, every action, and every word is an opportunity to serve the Lord. He wants us to glorify Him no matter what we do, or when we do it. 

Colossians 3:17 NIV "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." 

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SERVICE 

Recent attacks and kidnappings by terrorists in Iraq have forced some foreigners in that country to flee. Despite the violence, the aid organization World Vision is continuing its work on a number of projects in the war-torn country. World Vision spokesperson Andrea Swinburn-Jones says a lot of work is being accomplished in a hostile environment. 

World Vision has 67 staff members working in Iraq. Swinburn-Jones says, "In our programs in northern Iraq, we've managed to rehabilitate more than 200 schools—and in excess of 100,00 children now have access to clean, rehabilitated schools. She say the actions of the workers are speaking loudly to the Iraqi people. The people were very aware that the organization is a Christian organization and were not sure what to make of what they were doing. Swinburn-Jones adds, "We've brought education areas to their children, running water, that type of thing—and they can see that it's our hearts that count. We're driven by the work of Christ." 

—http://headlines.agapepress.org, Amidst Violence, Ministry Demonstrates Christ's Love, Reaches Out to Iraqi People, April 15, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

These workers serving in the middle of danger certainly need our prayers of support. Their service is given to the Lord and not men. 

Ephesians 6:17-18 NIV "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free." 

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SERVICE 

Singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus says the PAX TV series “Doc” is more than a television program; to Cyrus it is his way of giving back to God. Cyrus says he had always prayed to use his skills and talents the way God wanted him to. When he saw the pilot script for “Doc,” Billy Ray knew the program was the vehicle he wanted. 

“Doc” is not Cyrus’ first acting endeavor. He says, “I had done ‘Mulholland Drive’ and I felt kind of bad that my kids couldn’t watch that movie.” He adds, “I always prayed that God would give me the vision and wisdom and the intelligence to do the things I was supposed to do, and use my influence in a manner He would be proud of. When I read ‘Doc,’ I thought, ‘Here’s my chance to give back to God.” 

Cyrus describes the program as a little bit “Mayberry,” a little bit of “Touched by an Angel,” and a little bit “ER.” Cyrus doesn’t necessarily want to play a perfect character. He says he would also like to explore some of the other aspects of his character’s personality but he says that he feels the program is a really well rounded program and represents the light. 

—http://story.news.yahoo.com/news, Billy Ray Cyrus Giving Back to God, September 24, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

Colossians 3:17 NASB “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 

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SERVICE 

The way you sleep may reveal a lot about your personality. A new study by the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service in London has identified six common sleep positions and their meanings. A large hotel group commissioned the study 

Director of the Service, professor Chris Idzikowski says, “We are all aware of our body language when we are awake, but this is the first time we have been able to see what out subconscious says about us.” 

The study found the most favored sleep position, and the one favored by 51% of women was the fetal position. People who curl up in this position tend to be shy and sensitive, while people who sleep on their back with their arms at their side are usually quiet and sensitive. 

The study identified those who sleep on their sides with outstretched legs as usually social and easygoing people. If their arms are also outstretched, the study found that person tends to more suspicious. People who sleep on their back with outstretched arms and legs are usually unassuming and good listeners. 

The least common sleep position observed was lying on the stomach with arms at the sides of the head. Only 6.6 percent of people prefer this position, and they tend to have brash and gregarious personalities. 

Idzikowski identified the positions by comparing personality traits of people, preferred ways of sleeping, and the common sleeping positions; said that once a sleep style is adopted, it is rarely changed. He said, “What’s interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect.” 

—www.cnn.com, September 16, 2003, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell 

The Apostle Paul recognized that it is not the way we sleep but the way we act while awake that was most important. 

Ephesians 5:13-14 NIV “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” 

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SERVICE 

They thought they’d failed miserably. Sixteen Chinese Christians went to a rural area to plant churches but got absolutely no response from the people. They were destitute, living in the Forest, scavenging for enough food to keep them alive. 

Discouraged, they fasted for a week and prayed for God’s guidance. When they gathered to discuss what they should do, each person said that God was saying to stay and “wash their feet.” 

For three years, they sat on the side of the road with buckets of water offering to wash the farmer’s feet as they were going and coming from the fields. The offer annoyed the farmers who regularly beat the evangelists and poured their water over them. 

But the Christians didn’t give up. Finally, one of the farmers let one of the Christians wash his feet and when he did, the other farmers relented. For three months they washed 1500 farmer’s feet, twice a day. Until one of the farmers asked, “Why are you doing this.” 

Three years and three months after they decided to stay and “wash feet” they finally got to proclaim the gospel. A few weeks later, the gospel had triumphed in the hearts of the farmers and they all placed their faith in Jesus Christ, as did another 50,000 residents of the region within 2 years. 

—the Commission, June 2002, p. 26 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

John 13:14 NIV “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.” 

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SERVICE 

Two mountain goats met on a narrow highland pathway. On one side of the path was a canyon 1,000 feet deep. On the other, there was a steep cliff rising straight up. There was no room to turn around, and neither goat could back up without falling. The missionary observing this, wondered what would happen next. 

The goats studied each other for a few minutes. Finally, instead of battling to the death over the right to pass, one of the goats knelt down and became as flat as possible. The other goat walked over the first, and then both goats proceeded safely. 

In many ways, the church seems to have reached an impasse with culture. Our first response is to fight for our rights, and knock our opponents off the cliff. Shouldn't our response be to humbly bow and allow our opponents to pass over us. This is not to say the church needs to become a footstool of the world, but we can show the relevance of Christ's love as we serve others instead of trying to win arguments. The power of Christ is seen in submission and service more than in dominating and commanding force. 

John 5:12-13 "Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." 

—Our Daily Bread, October, 2000, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell 

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SERVICE 

When Mother Theresa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, she said. "I choose the poverty of our poor people. But I am grateful to receive (the Nobel) in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, of the crippled, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared-for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone." 

Even while being honored, she brought attention to the downtrodden she served. Why? She knew the spiritual nature of her work. She was doing more than touching the needy; she was touching Jesus. Five years prior to accepting her award, she said, "I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?" 

—http://www.almaz.com/nobel/peace/1979a.html Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

Matthew 25:40 KJV And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

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SERVICE 

In June of 2000, Tiger Woods was spotted on the Black Mountain course in Henderson Nevada during a qualifying round for the U.S. Amateur Public Links. No, Woods wasn't playing golf, he was caddying for his college roommate, Jerry Chang. People who are truly great are willing to serve. 

—Yahoo Sports, 6-22-2000 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

Matthew 20:26 NASB "… but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,"
 
 

SERVICE 

A former National Guard captain whose military service was supposed to have ended 7 years ago was sent to Iraq by mistake due to a clerical error. In May 2004, Jim Dillinger received a letter from the defense department saying he was one of the 5,600 members of the Individual Ready Reserve who were being sent to Iraq. Dillinger had resigned his captain's commission in 1996 after serving 17 years in the Guard. His contract said his military obligation ended in April 1999. His personnel record mistakenly said his service would end in July 2010, which was the date he would have been discharged if he had remained in the Ohio National Guard. 

Dillinger said, "They were still carrying me on the books as a captain, and nobody caught it. Including me." Dillinger was told he had not been discharged because of the military's "stop-loss" program. He says, "That explanation didn't make complete sense to me, but I accepted it. I'd been in the Army a long time, and when they tell you something, you believe it." When the error was discovered in May, the Guard sent Dillinger his discharge papers along with their apologies. Regarding his service in Iraq, Dillinger said, "I honestly believe I helped accomplish something over there, and the men I served with, they are like brothers to me. But I can't get past the fact that I should never have been sent there in the first place." 

—Associated Press, Man serves in Iraq Due to Clerical Error, July 4, 2006. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

2 Timothy 2:3-4 (CEV) [3] As a good soldier of Christ Jesus you must endure your share of suffering. [4] Soldiers on duty don't work at outside jobs. They try only to please their commanding officer. 

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SERVICE 

It was every parent's worst nightmare. On March 24, 2005, one-year-old Connor Reynolds fell down a flight of stairs in his grandmother's home in Burnaby, British Columbia. Fearing the worst, Angela called emergency services for help. The paramedics arrived on the scene in a heartbeat, but they told her that her situation was not an emergency and that she could tend to it herself. One of the paramedics said that babies at that age don't have bones. 

Knowing that something was wrong with her son, Angela took matters into her own hands and rushed him to the hospital where doctors put him in a body cast to treat his broken femur. 

While the B.C. Ambulance Service hasn't released details of what measures were taken, they have assured Ms. Reynolds that they've disciplined the paramedics. That isn't good enough for her; she's contacted a lawyer just in case there are long-term consequences to the poor service Connor received. 

—http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1113066723074_16/?hub=Canada Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

Why would qualified personnel refuse to serve? In this case, they didn't think there was a legitimate need—at least that is what they said. Perhaps it was laziness or hardheartedness—I don't know for sure. Regardless, they had a job to do and refused to do it. Certainly they deserve whatever punishment they will get. And so do we. 

Ezekiel 33:6 (HCSB) "However, if the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn't blow the trumpet, so that the people aren't warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives, then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood." 

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SERVICE 

Dr. Jennifer Furin has the credentials that would ordinarily guarantee a comfortable life. At the age of thirty-five, she has completed Harvard Medical School, and one of the world's most prestigious residencies at the Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Though she could have a thriving medical practice and six-figure income, Dr. Furin has chosen a different path. She is one of several doctors who are serving in a new medical program designed to bring the best of modern Western medicine to sick people in some of the poorest countries of the world. 

Dr. Furin spends most of the year working 70 hours a week in Lima, Peru, caring for patients in the shacks and slum clinics. She is one of twenty doctors who treat patients and train local doctors in Peru, Haiti, and the prisons of Russia. Some of the doctors give their efforts to caring for the poor in neighborhoods of Boston. The program they are part of was founded in response to the growing gap in healthcare between the rich and poor of the world. The program is funded primarily through private donations. 

Dr. Furin explains her motivation this way. "I have seen that the world can be a terrible place. For some reason beyond me, I am in a position to do something about that. It is not noble. It is simple. Because I have the choice, because I can, I do." 

—Parade Magazine, April 3, 2005, Because We Can, We Do, by Tracy Kidder. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

1 Peter 4:10 NLT "God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you." 

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SERVICE 

In his book, "The Radical Reformission" Mark Driscoll writes, "People with this transaction mindset about God and church will even see ministry not as something they do with the spiritual gifts God has given them but rather as something that is done for them as a religious service by someone else. Consequently, churches pandering to this mindset are filled with consumers who take more than they give and with observers who watch more than they participate." 

—"The Radical Reformission", p171-172. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

Mark 10:45 (NASB) "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 

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SERVICE 

In his best-selling book, "The Purpose-Driven Life", Rick Warren writes, "Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you." 

"You may be serving in obscurity in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose!" And then he writes, "Your ministry matters to the kingdom of God." 

—"The Purpose Driven Life", p. 263. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

Service that pleases God is service done for His pleasure, not for personal recognition. Dr. Warren is absolutely right—your ministry does matter to God's Kingdom. Don't judge your ministry by the recognition you get from people. What matters most is what God thinks about what you do and the heart you do it with. 

Philip. 2:3 (NASB) "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;" 

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SERVICE 

In his book, "An Unstoppable Force", Erwin McManus writes, "The purpose of the church cannot be to survive or even to thrive but to serve... The church exists to serve as the body of Christ, and it is through this commitment to serve that we are forced to engage our culture." 

—"An Unstoppable Force", p. 23. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

It is easy to make survival or success our focus and miss the point that Christ established His church to serve. 

Mark 9:35 (NIV) "Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.'"
 
 

SERVICE/CHURCH 

While Dean and Patty O'Bryan lived in Germany, they took their kids to a small circus in a nearby town. The circus sported all the usual acts: high-wire stunts, bareback horse riders, bicycles, and animal tamers. After about 30 minutes they realized, however, that in every act, the same 8 or 10 performers would appear. The performers would appear, breathless, running in and out, changing costumes quickly, and assuming the next role. By the time it was all over, Dean and Patty realized that the circus performers were great at jumping from role to role, but none of them did a great job at any one role. 

“How much like the American church,” Dean says, “where the same few people, usually out of breath, try to do it all, assuming roles they can't fill well, because ‘someone has to do it.’” 

—Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Dean O'Bryan Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

Ephes. 4:11-16 NASB “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. [14] As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; [15] but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
 
 

SERVICE/GRATITUDE 

Early in the morning on October 19, 2002, Gene Jones and his partner Jeremy Wieckhorst were making a routine run, hauling a load of oil when they saw a white van hit a light pole and roll over. By the time they got over to the wreck, Michael Myers, grain truck driver pulled over too. 

Jones extended his hand to the dark-haired man to see if he could feel a pulse. When he did, he told the man that help was coming and continued to hold his hand. 

The man gasped for air a couple of times. Then he died. 

When the police arrived, the three truck drivers helped them roll the van off of the man and when they’d done all they could to help, got back into their rigs and headed out. 

Stella Galindo was grief-stricken, as I’m sure you can only imagine, when the police notified her that Juan, her son had died in a traffic accident. Her grief was multiplied by the thought that he died alone. She was haunted by the thought of her son dying in the cold, alone. A few weeks after his death, a police officer told her that a witness saw a truck driver crouched over her son’s body. For a month she searched for the man and when she located him invited him over to her home. 

When the doorbell rang, Stella, her husband Juan Sr. and daughter Sanjuan answered the door. She hugged the thick-chested truck driver and said, “Thank you for stopping. Thank you for not letting him die there alone.” Jones reached out his big hand once again, but this time he wasn’t holding onto a dying man—this time he was holding onto a grieving mother. “I wish I could have done more,” he said. “I’m sorry for your loss.” 

Later Stella gave Jones a plaque she had made with two hands clasping one another—her way of expressing her gratitude to the man who offered a helping hand to her son…and to her. 

—Wichita Eagle, www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/4538202.htm Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

James 2:15-17 NASB “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? [17] Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”
 
 

SERVICE/MOTIVATION 

Quebec's Court of Appeal upheld the firing of two Montreal paramedics who refused to help a dying man because they were on a break. Stopped by a motorist who said his friend was having difficulty breathing, the paramedics directed him to a hospital two traffic lights away. 

—Macleans Magazine, February 23, 2004 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Dave Bootsma 

Do you serve Christ and His people only out of duty or when it's convenient, or do you do it out of love and gratitude? 

Psalm 100:2 (KJV) “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”
 
 

SERVICE/LEADERSHIP 

On the night of February 9th, 2006, a parking lot scuffle occurred between a shoplifter and three security guards in an affluent neighborhood in San Ramon, CA. Matters worsened when a small mob of angry shoppers joined the fray, attacking the security guards believing them to be muggers harassing an innocent man. While a thief was trying to get away with stolen goods, and security guards attempted to apprehend the thief, shoppers battled the security guards. 

Out of nowhere another man entered the fray and cried with a booming voice, "Everyone back up! Everyone calm down! I am the mayor of San Ramon!" 

The thief got away but the mayor managed to settle the mob and give medical treatment to a wounded guard. 

Unlike many in high positions, Mayor H. Abram Wilson is willing to get his hands dirty and truly serve those under his authority—even at the risk of his own life. 

—East Contra Times, Saturday, February 25, 2006. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Nathan Morales. 

Mark 10:41-44 (NIV) Jesus said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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"
 
 

SERVICE/WORK 

In the book, "Here I Am (Now What on Earth should I be Doing?)", author Quentin Schultze encourages us to put our hearts into our work by finding ways to serve others. He writes, "My first paid job was cleaning and restocking shelves in a family drugstore. After one week, I had mastered the work and grown bored. Then two things began to improve my view of the tedious job: customers started asking me where to find products, and I noticed shoppers purchasing items that I had restocked. The paycheck was useful, whereas serving others was rewarding. Because we are creatures of the heart, we seek work and volunteer stations that serve others. Our labor need not be impressive, but it is most gratifying when it contributes to others' well being." 

—"Here I Am (Now What On Earth Should I Be Doing)", pg. 37. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

Philip. 2:3 NLT "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself."
 
 

SERVING 

61 year-old fisherman Jim Peterson faced a quandary when his fishing boat recently seized up, stranding him about 80 miles off the coast of Newport, Oregon. After several hours of struggling, Peterson was only able to get the boat to go into reverse. Though he could have waited for a rescue ship, Peterson decided to use what he had. Though it was incredibly slow, Peterson piloted the ship back to port in reverse. The 80-mile trip took 39 hours to complete. 

—World Magazine, Slow Boat, September 9, 2005, pg. 9. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

Even when it is difficult, let's use whatever we have to serve the Lord and others. 

1 Peter 4:10 (MSG) "Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it:" 

In his book, An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God has in Mind, Erwin McManus writes,  “The life of the church is the heart of God. The heart of God is to serve a broken world. When Jesus wrapped the towel around his waist, he reminded us that only he could wash away our sin. The church cannot live when the heart of God is not beating within her.”

--An Unstoppable Force, 23. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Andre Mooney

Mark 9:35 (NAB) Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." 

SERVICE

Lydia delivers meals to low income senior citizens with the charity “meals on wheels.” So what, you may say, thousands of people do that. Lydia is 101.

Lydia rides shotgun and navigates for her 72-year-old partner helping the “little old ladies,” as she refers to her clients. She speaks of the blessing she gets from being of service. “It’s fun for me and a chance to get out. It gives me something to do.” 

Even over a century old, Lydia Hart takes what she has and employs it in the service of others. What a challenge to you and me.  

--World, August 1, 2009. P. 15 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

1 Peter 4:10 (NASB77) As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

For each of us Cousins summarizes that our calling is not what we do, but who we do it for. He writes, “You’ve been called to a relationship with Jesus, and you need to carry out your work, whatever it may be, in a manner befitting His presence in your life. Seeing Jesus as your boss makes a big difference.”

Unexplainable: Pursuing a Life Only God Can Make Possible, Don Cousins, Copyright 2009 Don Cousins, Published by David C. Cook Company,   pg 169-170.  Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

Ephesians 6:6-8 (CEV) Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. You are slaves of Christ, so with your whole heart you must do what God wants you to do. Gladly serve your masters, as though they were the Lord himself, and not simply people. You know that you will be rewarded for any good things you do, whether you are slaves or free.