The Joy of Serving Others

Chuckle: Fun with the English language: "Several oarsmen seated in a row were having a row about how to row."

Quote: "I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." --Rabindranath Tagore

"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12 NLT).

As Christians, God's holy people, we should show the characteristics listed in our passage. If we possess these spiritual traits, we will be involved in acts of service to others. Jesus is quoted as having said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35 NIV).

When we genuinely love others as Jesus loves us, our greatest joy will come from meeting the needs of those around us through tangible acts of humble service. Whether it is giving of our means or giving of our time to help someone who is suffering physically, emotionally, or spiritually, the result is a feeling of joy. Those who take the role of a servant are blessed not only by seeing the reaction of those we serve but from knowing we are being obedient to our Lord.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where many people are more interested in serving themselves than serving others. They view the world through the mind-set of "what's in it for me?" So many of us don't realize that real joy comes not from what we receive but what we give. Our Lord Jesus modeled for us what it means to be a servant to others. Hear His words: ". . . whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave -- 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 20:26-28 NIV).

The night before He was crucified, Jesus "poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him" (John 13:5 NIV). Here Jesus assumed the duties of the lowliest of servants to teach his disciples and us what it means to serve others in love and humility. It may not mean washing their feet, but I suspect someone comes to your mind who would be blessed by an act of love and kindness from you.

We need to get up, get out, and get moving, as we are physically able, and serve others with great joy. Even if you are disabled physically, your telephone or e-mail can be a great source of joy to someone who needs a kind and encouraging word. I call your attention to the "quote" at the top of this page. The writer had learned a valuable lesson and concluded that "service is joy."

Love, Jerry & Dotse