Serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5: 14
After driving into town, and dodging raindrops in and out of the market, and post office, I shivered, taking note of the greener grass and splattering of rainbow tulips, before putting on my blinker to head home for a hot cup of tea.
Doing a double take, I reluctantly checked the gas gauge before pulling over, and wondered how this could be. Hadn’t I just filled up?
And then there was that wee little whisper that confirmed my suspicion, “Yes, just like you, almost empty,” and I instinctively knew if I didn’t put a pause in my day soon, I’d be running on ‘E,’ too.
Standing beneath the overhang, listening to the pitter patter of rain to wash away the dead of winter, and nourish the earth for new growth, I gassed up as I said a quick prayer for the speeding by of hurried souls, and asked God to slow down my own.
Pulling off my receipt, I jumped into the car thanking Jesus for the last of the April showers, and for his gentle reminder that even when I’m doing good things that matter, I need a break. To pause. To stop doing, and to just be.
Stepping back, to fill myself up, whenever I can, wherever I am is a gift I give myself to see the world as God sees me.
In a personal relationship with Jesus, my intimate relationship reveals how deep and wide God’s faithfulness and love is. Enveloped by his Promises, the love I have for God grows. It is then that together, you and I can see others as God sees them.
Taking on a servant's heart, you and I are often loyal caregivers by nature. Tending to our families, our children, our grandchildren, our hubby or that special someone in our life, is part of who we are and what we are called to do.
Reaching out to care for aging parents, volunteering in ministry, being there for our friends, and often being the first to lend a helping hand in the workplace, it’s no wonder that our cups need constant filling, too, and not with caffeine, but with something a whole lot better. Jesus.
The truth is, though, I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want to serve those I love. I want to be there for them. Bigger than that-I want them to know Jesus.
But did you know there’s a fine line here? If you and I are truly serving God, it’s not about people pleasing. It’s not about earning our way to Heaven. It’s not about checking all the boxes, or worrying about details.
It’s not even about what I want. It’s not about my will. It’s about thy will. It’s about having a relationship with Jesus, and leaving it all up to him.
Luke’s Gospel story is one of my favorites: “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10: 38-42).
Jesus shares how serving others, and constantly “doing,” can take away from “being in his presence, talking to and listening to God.”
Having a listening heart like Mary’s in a fast paced Martha world is an ongoing challenge. You and I can show our love by “doing,” but “being” is also essential to discover more about ourselves, and deepen our relationship with the Lord.
The backstory here, though, is that Jesus was on his way to face persecution and death in Jerusalem. Having Jesus in their home was an honor and privilege, but with so much on his mind He needed quiet and rest. It was something Mary could grasp, but Martha could not.
Sometimes you and I are like that, too.
Keeping daily prayer time with the Lord to read and reflect upon his Word, and ongoing conversations with the Father helps you and I to prioritize the day to put God’s will first, and reflect upon the needs of those we serve before our own.
Asking the Father to help us see the needs of others through the lens of faith, and extending care and compassion often requires courageous steps to responsibly initiate God’s love. Jumping in to shoulder other people’s needs requires great empathy, patience, mercy, and love, all illustrated to us by the Son of God. It’s about following God’s agenda, and not our own.
Jesus directs us to “serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5: 14).
Come now, my sister, rest and relish the quiet. Listen with your heart to be inspired and directed by God. Then go forth to listen intently to those you serve. Give them the gift of your loving presence as Jesus has given to you.
Until next time…
May the Spirit of God lead you, the Word of God sustain you, and the promises of God grant you the gift of everlasting peace.
Love and blessings...
Thank you for your loving presence, my friend! Know that I’m praying for you! Quick question- Are you more like Mary or Martha? I’d love to hear your story! Share what’s on your heart, and email me at sue@faithfirstwomen.com
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Author of Nourish Your Soul: 7 Secrets for Women Seeking Peace a great gift for 🌷Mother’s Day🌷 available on Amazon
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