December 15, 2013

Are You Willing To Be Of Service?

A few days ago a family member called me to ask for a ride somewhere, or she may have been asking me to bring her something. I can’t remember exactly what she wanted that day because she has been calling almost daily for one thing or another. You see, she is one of those long-time drivers who think they can’t function without a car. Never mind the fact that we live in a large metropolitan city where buses, trains and trolleys are plentiful.

Whenever she wants something from me, she begins her question with, “Do you feel like…” As in, “Do you feel like taking me to the Market?”, “Do you feel like giving me a ride to xyz?”, “Do you feel like babysitting?”

My response is usually the same, “No. I don’t feel like it, but I will.” Every now and then, I’ll answer with a simple, “Yes.”, because I do feel like it.

But on that particular day, I did not. Nothing inside of me wanted to do whatever it was she was asking. I still said yes though, because… well, I’m not sure. I don’t have a problem saying no, nor did I feel obligated. Whatever the reason was – I became really annoyed. Mainly because when the situation was reversed (many times) she never made herself available to me. e.g.: Our daughters attended the same school last year. One time I asked her to pick up my daughter when she left to take her daughter to school. She said, she was low on gas and didn’t have time.

I started grumbling and muttering to myself about how she was taking advantage of my kindness and she wouldn’t do the same for me and she was getting on my nerves and blah, blah, blah. This super sour attitude stayed with me all the way outside and into the car.

And I almost missed it. While I was sitting there waiting for the car to warm up, still fuming, Spirit whispered:

Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. Luke 6: 30-31

I realized it wasn’t about her taking advantage of or using me. It was about Christ using me to glorify the Father, by blessing her.

It was about being willing to be of service.

We don’t always get to choose who we are called to bless. It might even be the last person you would have chosen for yourself. It doesn’t really matter. What does matter is the joy that takes over your mind and heart when you realize the Lord of the universe is using you.

I repented immediately, received forgiveness and praised God all the way over to her house. 🙂

We Christians always profess to wanting to be used to bless others, and then we blow it by not discerning an opportunity when it presents itself. Luke 6:31 which has become known as the Golden rule is a basic principal that most people (Christians and non- Christians alike) learn before grade school.

Knowledge of this rule amounts to nothing if we don’t understand the application. Understanding is key.