Thankful, Day Eighty-Eight

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the LORD, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD, He is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100, NKJV

Do we really know and understand what it means to be a servant, to serve a master, to serve in obedience and compliance to one person's will and demand? In our 21st Century American culture, I think we have very little concept of true service. We have jobs; we work for wages. And if we don't like the work, or we don't like the wages, we quit and go find something else to do. Or we do nothing at all because we can't find something that we like or enjoy or that suits us. We change careers all the time, switch jobs, make moves. But do we really understand serving someone else?

Working for someone is a whole lot different than serving someone. Have you ever thought about that? In a public business, there are bosses and employees. But in private homes, there are servants. Butlers, cooks, nannies, maids, valets, secretaries, gardeners, chauffeurs--I'm not rich, I'm just guessing according to what I've read or seen on TV. Now, it is generally true in this country that those people who work in those roles do so of their own free-will, for fair wages, and what they do is acceptable to them. If it means mopping floors, scrubbing toilets, ironing shirts, changing diapers, dusting tables, picking up dirty underwear, then those are the jobs they knew would be required of them, and that they would be paid according to what they agreed upon. I've never talked to anyone with a household staff, but I wonder if they really complain about how hard it is to find "good help".

And then I wonder if God ever has the same thoughts about us. Does He ever muse within the Trinity, I wish we could just get some good Christians working for us down there. We could really do something if we got good help. Do you think the angels ever complain about us? God, why do you put up with that lazy, careless, uncommitted, wavering, backsliding, stupid bunch of creatures?

You see, we are in the service of the Lord whether we realize that or not. When He saved us, He made us His own. He paid a high price for our redemption, and now we are not our own. We have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. He gave all the riches of heaven that we might share in an inheritance that is not ours by birthright, but rather ours by His choosing. He wanted to bless us with everything He had to give. In return, He just asks that we serve Him.

So how are we doing? Are we willing to do anything He asks, go anywhere He sends, say anything He instructs? Are we willing to wash the dirty feet of others and minister to their needs? Are we willing to love and forgive, even when we are unloved and hated? Are we willing to lay everything down and follow the leading of the Lord, even if it means leaving everything behind? Are we willing to serve the Lord? And are we willing to do it with gladness?

I'm asking all these questions, but I'm also the one who will provide my answer.

And the answer is: I hope so.

I'm thankful Lord for the call into your service. You could have chosen anybody else; maybe you could have called someone better than me. But I'm glad it was me! I'm happy to be in your service, and not in the service of a cruel and hateful taskmaster who is only interested in what he can get for how little he gives back. You, on the other hand, have given me everything you have. So it's only reasonable that I serve you with all that I have.

I'm thankful Lord for the opportunity to be in your service. You have opened doors and set before me straight paths to follow. You have led me to people in need and let me minister to them on your behalf. And there is no greater joy, no greater gladness I have ever experienced than when I have touched someone with the same love with which you have touched me.

I'm thankful Lord for the rewards of being in your service. I know some people are looking for payment now, but I've read the promises in your Word, and I know that whatever I get down here, from you or from anybody else for services I have rendered, are nothing compared to the treasures awaiting me in eternity. All I have to do is be faithful to you.

And that is what I intend to do.