Serving With the End in View

Thursday, August 13, 2009

It is no secret that our lives can so easily be filled up with a lot of activity that will rob us of having time for the most important things in our lives. Our own families are a good example of that. How many times have you heard a parent that has come to the end of their child rearing days say, “I wish I would have spent more time with my children while they were growing up.” Another important characteristic of having a servant’s heart is, serving with the end in view.

I like the story of the visit Jesus had with Mary and Martha. Martha bothered herself with all of the chores around the house while her sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to what He said. Martha became bitter about the fact that she was doing all of the work and Mary was just sitting there listening to Jesus. Jesus’ response was, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Part of Martha’s problem was, she had the wrong end in view. There was nothing inherently wrong with what she was doing but her focus was turned inward to all that it was taking out of her instead of on what she could do for others. What was Jesus’ response again? “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing…” Martha’s problem was not in what she was doing but in the fact that she was the only one doing it. Her focus was on herself, not Christ and others.

All of us probably have a bit of “Martha” in us. We can fill our lives with a lot of activity and then complain that nobody else is lifting a finger to help. It is not that we can’t solicit others for more help at doing something. But if we find ourselves “worried and upset about many things” it begs the question, “Why are we doing what we do?” We may be serving with near sighted vision – “nobody cares that I am doing this all by myself.”

Spend some time reflecting on these words from Romans 15:2 “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good to build him up.” Also from Philippines 2:4 we read, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Eternity is at stake. Lift your eyes and serve Christ with the end in view.

Remember; grow in Knowing Christ, in Making Him Known and in Knowing Each Other.

Prayer: Lord, help us today to serve You and to serve others for the sake of Your Kingdom. Amen