It takes a lot to give of oneself in service to others. Therefore, it is tempting for those who serve to become boastful to themselves and to others about their service. They feel needed and important. They think that those whom they serve cannot do without them. When in reality, they need the ones they serve more than they are needed.

It is humbling to remember that people survive with or without your help. They will somehow get through their present situation. Newcomers will eventually become seasoned old-timers. Most will overcome or at least get by.

In the spiritual realm, God can use many, or only a few, to accomplish His mission. Those He intends to reach can be reached with or without our involvement; as Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” (I Samuel 14:6) Mordecai’s words to Esther bore very similar message: “… if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) Our opportunity to participate in the work of the Lord is a privilege, not a right or a reflection of our own goodness. Our Lord, who enjoys our fellowship and growth, generously allows us the privilege of being partner with Him in His great work. We do not need any stretch of imagination to know that we are not worthy or indispensable partners.

When we serve, we are often put in situations that challenge us to take a harder look at things about ourselves that we normally assume to know or ignore: our temperament, motivations, care for others and selfishness, strengths and weaknesses, capacities and limitations. We find out how soft and, at the same time, how hardened our hearts can become, and realize that only God’s love can sustain us in our service. We may one day find how much we are willing to give, yet on the next day, how much we are still tightly holding onto. We find out the best and the worst that are within us. Our eyes will be opened to sins and self-centeredness that we never want to admit, and have the opportunity to repent from them. We have opportunities we would not have otherwise to develop our character and skills.

When we serve, we are often exposed to a world that is very different from our own. We become aware of the joys and struggles of other people, and learn to respect the dignity of life and liberty, the strength of the human spirit, and the power of the Gospel among unbelievers as well as in our own lives. We are forced to put faces and feelings to poverty, crime, tragedies, sicknesses and disabilities, and no longer can argue issues solely from an intellectual perspective. We would once in a while be exposed to schemes of people exploiting our service, and become more realistic with our expectations and planning.

Above all, we are forced to our knees: to learn to seek God’s will and strength. We then are allowed the unparalleled privilege of working hand-in-hand with God, to witness the strength in His unwavering love, His almighty power and His providence.

What privilege it is to be allowed into the heart of God, and the sanctuaries of the hearts of men! What opportunity it is to broaden our perspectives about life and the world we live in! What blessing it is to have a deeper understanding of and be cleansed and healed in the innermost parts of our own selves! These are possible only when we serve.

To gain these, we need the people we serve. We need them more than they need us!

Mei Kee Wong

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 13th, 2007 at 12:22 pm and is filed under From the Director.