Pondering upon Service

This question has perplexed me for a few weeks: What is it God wants me to be? There has been one common, reoccurring theme that has popped up every time I have thought upon this question. A servant. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve - He has called His children to follow in His footsteps.

Today I had an amazing opportunity to go and help out a widow in the nearby city of Lillooet. We helped her weed her lawn. Yes, by that I mean we were on our hands and knees in the front of her house picking all the portulaca. I can tell you this, there were clusters upon clusters of this weed that had taken over a good 1/3 of this lady's front lawn.

I thought though, there's more to service than just doing it. Before I had left for the lady's house with a group of other girls, I read in my devotions a short verse out of Philippians to start me off on a good mindset. "Nothing should be done through selfish ambition or conceit...We should esteem others better than ourselves." {Phil 2:3} So when I serve, I need pure motives. Nothing in my mind or heart should be craving attention or gratification. When I help people I shouldn't be placing myself higher than them just because I'm not in the position they are. In most cases, I'm in a much worse position.

When I returned a few hours later, I sat outside in my dirt covered clothing and thought; how did Jesus serve? I came up with a list of guidelines for myself.
I need to serve with...
     - Joy (my countenance needs to reflect my love for God and love for helping others)
     - Patience (I need to be diligent and patient with my work because it may not go as smoothly as first espected)
     - Care (I should care for the people I'm helping)
     - Humility (pride should not be in my heart, nor a judgemental spirit)
     - Desire (actually wanting to do it)
     - Time (make time, don't rush, finish what you started)
     - Yearning (not only help their physical needs, but also their spiritual)
     - Respect (for them and what they ask of me)
     - God (He should be my partner through it all)
     - Trust (that God will help me be a reflection of His character and life He lived)
     - Love (true love for them)

Taking a moment of my time to help others has been the biggest blessing to me this year. I can admit that I'm not perfect. Sometimes I think, "Wow, I'm just such a helpful person." But that's not the attitude Christ wants me to have. I'm working on that - Jesus is helping me. Through everything though, my love and respect for God and others is exponentially increasing.

Take time to ponder. Think about what it is God wants YOU to be.