Serving from the Heart



This week we saw a great video- bring Serving Back. But what would it look like to really bring serving back...or to bring our hearts back to serving. There are three motives that tend to drive us to serving.

Pitifully Serving (Part 1)

When we see the commercials play on TV...or hear the bell ringing at Christmas time as we leave Walmart...there is something inside of us that gets tugged...maybe its guilt...maybe shame...or its pity-a genuine feeling sorry for someone else. Many times this is where the motivation to serve starts. We experience a sort of pity for someone less fortunate then us. Maybe they were born into it...perhaps they hit a run of bad luck...or ran into the wrong people...what ever it is...we feel bad.

I think you know what I mean. We here these circumstances that cause us to think..."wow..that's horrible..I should help" The initial response we have to help is great...if we really follow through with it. But there can be a downfall to serving out of pity as well.

We learn from the book of Romans...do not think of yourself higher than you ought. Have you ever caught yourself thinking..."I need to help this person...because they need ME" Notice the emphasis, its subtle, it can sneak up on you. Its the idea that some how I'm better than the person I'm serving...the genuine ache that you might have felt can turn into pride- This is what makes Jesus example so important. When he washes the disciples feet...it is no prideful thing. Its actually somewhat disgusting...but he does it anyway. When he is finished he basically says- now you do the same thing...and don't think there is anything or anyone your to good for.

Our motive may start with a genuine sorrow for someones situation...but we need to check our hearts to be sure that by serving- we not making more of ourselves then we ought.