Reading: Mark 9:33-37
Servant of All
Exposure: Read Jesus' remarks to His disciples about being a servant. In the next 24 hours, live this out by serving someone. Especially think of a way you welcome a little child in Jesus' name.
Exploration: Wht do youy think Jesus took a child into His arms for this remark? What does it say about Jesus' minstry that a little child was already nearby?
Expression: Who do you think was blessed more? You the server or the people being served?
Experience: Take an inventory of how you spend most of your days. Is your life characterized more by being served or serving? Is it any different during Christmas time?
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I feel like we all think we are "serving" with things but it's so often serving ourselves to make us feel better. And maybe that's not all bad...but it can't be all good either. With kids it's almost impossible to serve selfishly--especially the littlest ones that need our help so completely. It reminds me of babysitting the sweetest little 4 month old recently...and she had to be my whole world during that time, even when she was perfectly behaved! You just have to be focused on them before your own needs. Not being a parent myself I'm sure I have only the slightest picture of what this is like though.
ReplyDeleteI love the Jesus had children nearby. What a vivid picture of someone that needs us but may not be able to provide a single thing for our needs. I love that the children felt safe, comfortable and welcomed...that it wasn't a crazy radical movement (even though things did get dangerous at times).
I don't have an experience right now to tell of serving today (certainly not selflessly), but I do think it's always the server being blessed. It sounds trite to say, but it truly is so rewarding in the long run.
I think during Christmas it is so hard not to get caught up in our own craziness when it should be the best (and easiest) time to think of others. I feel like so often we are just complaining about how busy and stressful we are (myself included!!) instead of taking that time the study talked about in the first section to really prepare for Christ coming not only for Christmas but into our lives each day. And perhaps the stress wouldn't be quite so prominent!!
Brienne, you've said so much so well it's difficult for me to add...but you know I love to talk so I'll try. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I read this passage was, "and Jesus just happened to have a child ready for this?" Then I read the study question and laughed. I imagine that Jesus had such a charisma that may have been missed by cynical adults, but that innocent children didn't miss.
It's almost 1 pm today and I don't have a great example of serving well. In fact I was thinking earlier today maybe if I focused more on God and serving Him, and by serving Him I served others (especially my husband and child better) then I wouldn't have time or energy to think so much about what I'm lacking for me.