Relationships: At Your Service
Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
"Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself-to serve." Sarayu to Mack in "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young
What a novel idea! Pondering to self, "choose to limit oneself." But, but . . ."I am MENSA material. My IQ is over 150. I graduated Summa Cum Laude. I have an Ivy League education. I would never limit myself when I've been taught to be all I can be; the sky is the limit! It's a competitive world. I must show them who I am!" . . . one might say.
That quote takes a direct hit on our accomplishments and accolades. They mean nothing unless in service to others. To serve is what we are called to do. But, before we can genuinely serve, we must be in relationship together. God put us on this earth to serve just as the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28) When you are in true service to others, all pretentiousness, airs, aristocracy, superiority and self-obsession is nonexistent.
In service to others, you will hear conversations in broken English and grammar. You are not judgmental but seek to understand what is being said because all you want to do is help. To pray for wisdom in any given circumstance is spontaneous because you feel the pain of those you are serving.
As supported by the opening quote, you are not eager to flash your credentials and prove how much you know about anything. Your heart's desire when you serve is to obliterate the misery, discomfort, poverty, hunger, pain, and emptiness of the person we see with our heart, and not our natural eyes.
Even among our peers, we can choose to limit ourselves-to serve. There is no lack of amusement in witnessing two highly intellectuals trying to prove who is the most intelligent in an argument. The will to power is greater than their desire to concede. Both feel they must be served instead of in service to each other.
Christ washed His disciples' feet to show them He did not think the Master was greater than the servant. He too, was a servant. One cannot truthfully deny Christ as the perfect example of how important it is for us to form relationships. There is true equality in real relationships, not a hierarchy. He tells us how to be husbands, wives, children, employers, employees, friends and neighbors by the short recordings of the life He lived.
Let us not make it a now or never decision to get into relationship with the needy but rather a now and right now decision. Having personal needs would make it an ideal time to reach out to others. I have read many stories of people who were down to their last dollar but gave it to help someone else. Miraculously, they received a one-hundred-fold blessing for being a blessing. It has happened to me, too.
It is when we give that we receive. We can never repay Christ with our money and time. He wants us to help Him spread His love to each other. We can never purchase a blessing but we can serve. The Bible says we are not to be hardhearted and tightfisted toward our brothers. (Deuteronomy 15:7) "It is not the nature of love to force a relationship but is it the nature of love to open a way." Papa to Mack, in "The Shack"
William Penn would agree, I suspect since it was he who said: "I expect to pass through this life but once. If, therefore there can be any kindness I can show or any good thing I can do for any fellow being let me do it now...as I shall not pass this way again."
Copyright 2008 by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
What a novel idea! Pondering to self, "choose to limit oneself." But, but . . ."I am MENSA material. My IQ is over 150. I graduated Summa Cum Laude. I have an Ivy League education. I would never limit myself when I've been taught to be all I can be; the sky is the limit! It's a competitive world. I must show them who I am!" . . . one might say.
In service to others, you will hear conversations in broken English and grammar. You are not judgmental but seek to understand what is being said because all you want to do is help. To pray for wisdom in any given circumstance is spontaneous because you feel the pain of those you are serving.
As supported by the opening quote, you are not eager to flash your credentials and prove how much you know about anything. Your heart's desire when you serve is to obliterate the misery, discomfort, poverty, hunger, pain, and emptiness of the person we see with our heart, and not our natural eyes.
Even among our peers, we can choose to limit ourselves-to serve. There is no lack of amusement in witnessing two highly intellectuals trying to prove who is the most intelligent in an argument. The will to power is greater than their desire to concede. Both feel they must be served instead of in service to each other.
Christ washed His disciples' feet to show them He did not think the Master was greater than the servant. He too, was a servant. One cannot truthfully deny Christ as the perfect example of how important it is for us to form relationships. There is true equality in real relationships, not a hierarchy. He tells us how to be husbands, wives, children, employers, employees, friends and neighbors by the short recordings of the life He lived.
Let us not make it a now or never decision to get into relationship with the needy but rather a now and right now decision. Having personal needs would make it an ideal time to reach out to others. I have read many stories of people who were down to their last dollar but gave it to help someone else. Miraculously, they received a one-hundred-fold blessing for being a blessing. It has happened to me, too.
It is when we give that we receive. We can never repay Christ with our money and time. He wants us to help Him spread His love to each other. We can never purchase a blessing but we can serve. The Bible says we are not to be hardhearted and tightfisted toward our brothers. (Deuteronomy 15:7) "It is not the nature of love to force a relationship but is it the nature of love to open a way." Papa to Mack, in "The Shack"
William Penn would agree, I suspect since it was he who said: "I expect to pass through this life but once. If, therefore there can be any kindness I can show or any good thing I can do for any fellow being let me do it now...as I shall not pass this way again."
Copyright 2008 by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Avis,Your ministry to teens is invaluable. This is what our faith should be all about - in the service to others. When I part this earth, I want to be known for the content of my character and how I served others including my family. That's all that counts. Thanks.James,
"This is what our faith should be all about - in the service to others." James P. Krehbiel
This is why Bruce wanted more articles on this topic, James. There are many of us at SearchWarp who talk about many things but not enough of us writing about being in service to others. This article wasn't to focus on me, I believe you know that. But I thank you for recognizing the ministry assigned to me. I've said it before, I know others at SearchWarp are doing things for others, too. It's encouraging to read about them.
Continue in service to your family and others. It matters greatly! Thanks!
hi avis,i have been at home for 24 years, raising 3 beautiful children to go out into this world and help others. often times, i felt slighted because i did not go out of the home and "work." a big pet peeve of mine. to sit at a desk for 8 hours, or take care of a home and 3 kids, hmm, i wonder what takes more energy, physical exertion, mental telepathy, compassion, perseverence, creativity, and patience? i took that as my personal gift to God, doing the very best i could so these kids could grow and follow my lead.i consider this serving of the utmost. my mom was a nurse, and wanted me to be one, but i just didn't have it in me, and now, my daughter is taking EMS classes to work for the ambulance squad, and my son is going into the air force, and my youngest is 17, but knows how to be honest and forthright and responsible. i have loved serving in this capacity, and through my writing, and will find something to do that will serve others once i am able.i will always serve in some capacity.i'd like to write a book, and maybe that will help others. my crohn's keeps me from being able to go into the work field, but my fingers can still type:)all my best to you for a good article,sueHi Sue,
Reading your comments about being a stay-at-home mom and raising 3 beautiful children, one might think you feel taking care of your own isn't serving. It must include taking care of others that you are not required to or responsible for since they're your own. I could agree with that in one sense but after getting to know you, I know you have given to their friends over the past 24 years, as well. I know this because you do not know me and have 'served' me with thoughtful emails. The pictures and messages were healing and sometimes humorous. The research on the images sent etc. . . and that's just for me. I've read the comments others have said to you, Kacy Carr, for instance on the thoughtful sympathy card sent to her in the loss of her Mum. So, yes you serve others outside of your own. Your writings, a tremendous service and there is more yet to come from you! Your skills are being fine-tuned for greater service.
Thank you for being you! You've been a blessing to me and countless others, I just know it.
Oh, thanks for reading this article! :)
Avis
PS I must add, there are some who do not even serve [take care of] their own!
hi avis,thaks for your inspiring words-all you said i do, i do without thinking, just because it feels right, or i want to brighten people's days (like you) so i don't realize i am serving.thanks for pointing it out to me.you've got a way with words :)my best to you,sueHiya Sue, you're very welcome. I am glad I could shed some light on your acts of service! :) A sincere pleasure it was.
My best to you and thanks!
Avis
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