Household Chores
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” John 13:12-17
When you are out on vacation as an adult with children, you know that there are things that are hardly ‘vacation’ like. That reigns true for children, but when it is grandchildren (8 of them for this trip), it can be exhausting! There is getting things organized, and arranging events. There’s cooking and cleaning. For a few moments, I thought I was at home! “How is this a vacation,” I thought. Then after falling asleep and waking up at 5:00am, I had a moment of clarity.
God has given an opportunity to serve a bunch of people who I dearly love each and every day and will get that opportunity for the rest of my life. I never need to worry about whether I am giving enough. Yes, thoughts about my inner circle of friends and family that often go through my mind questioning if I balance them enough with the others. My mother even worries that I do not find enough time for me. But then the words of Rick Warren ring in my head whenever those moments of doubt come to mind. He simply says, “It’s not about you.” Serving others has made me a better person and it is more than just doing chores.
In our journey with Christ, servitude stands at the heart of our relationship with Him. It's not merely about how much we give, but about truly listening to God's prompts in our lives. The real concern arises not from questioning if we give enough, but from failing to hear His call in our minds and hearts. A foundational relationship with Christ is a fluid one. It is constantly encouraging us to reflect on our servitude to Him. Are we overcoming our vices? Have we established habits that demonstrate our focus on God? Are our actions driven by genuine devotion or mere ritual? These are the questions that should resonate within us daily, guiding our continual growth.
Thus, serving others and to what capacity is about ensuring we understand what Jesus Christ did in service to us. Can we ever serve enough? In our hearts in mind, the answer is probably no, but that is the wrong question. The question is do we serve others as Christ has served us? There will be times when we must examine our intentions and actions, but if we are trusting God, He will simply make a way even when we see none. Remember, serving God is should not be a chore. It is a privilege. Remember the words Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Our acts of service are not about seeking recognition or measuring our worth, but about embodying the love and humility that Christ demonstrated. In every moment of giving, whether it feels like a chore or a blessing, we are participating in God's divine plan. Jesus said, “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.” (Mark 10:45) As we reflect on the example set by Jesus, let us embrace the privilege of serving others with joy and gratitude knowing that through our faithful service, we are fulfilling God's will. How do I balance serving my immediate family and friends with serving the broader community? How do I embody the example of servitude that Jesus demonstrated? Am I listening to God's prompts in my life? My prayer we embrace servitude to others as a calling and not just chores. Amen.