Many years ago, an autobiography titled, “A Life In Our Times,” was written about Canadian-born economist, John Kenneth Galbraith. Mr. Galbraith worked under four sitting US Presidents. A short but meaningful story is told in his autobiography about his housekeeper, Emily Gloria Wilson. It is said, Mr. Galbraith returned home one day having dealt with a myriad of issues. As you would expect, he was fatigued and needed rest. Upon arriving home, he instructed Ms. Wilson to hold all telephone calls while he rested for a while. A short time later, the phone rang. Upon answering, Ms. Wilson heard then-President, Lyndon B Johnson, state, “Get me Ken Galbraith! This is Lyndon Johnson.” Ms. Wilson responded, “Respectfully, he is sleeping, Mr. President, and has instructed he not be disturbed.” The President stated, “Well wake him up! I want to talk to him!” She responded, “No, Mr. President. I work for him, not you.” After emerging from his nap, Mr. Galbraith called the White House. President Johnson responded in amusement upon answering the phone, “Tell that woman I want her working at the White House!” There’s something to be said of someone who understands the importance of serving others.
During His time on this earth, Jesus gave us a living example of how we should live our lives. Matthew 20:28 states, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as ransom for many.” To think that the King of Kings would come to this earth from His throne to serve me, a flawed human being who would turn my back on Him at times, blows my mind. The very person who spoke this world into existence lowered Himself and sacrificed His life so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. When was the last time you genuinely served someone? I’m not referring to some simple action. I’m referring to something that required a sacrifice on your part– whether physically, mentally, spiritually, financially, or in some other way. I question if we can even consider anything we do “service” to someone else if it doesn’t cost us something. Christianity isn’t something we can pay someone else to do for us. The life of a believer is less about being a spectator or consumer and more about getting into the mess and muck with those in need and pointing them to the one who can help them. It’s about giving those around us a hand-up rather than a hand-out. This world isn’t looking for a catchy one-liner or phrase. This world is looking searching for the cure for what is killing them. And sin is quite literally killing us all.
Closing remarks and encouragement: Many in our society place emphasis and base their involvement on who’s in charge, who will get the credit for the work that has been done, and more. None of those things matter. Truthfully, if God isn’t receiving the ultimate glory for our actions, we’re doing something wrong. Believers, we have a job to do. If we’re not doing it to the best of our abilities, we will be held accountable. Let’s endeavor to spend our time making this world better rather than adding to the problems that surround us. Are you available and willing to serve?
Have a blessed week, my friends!
Photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash