WASHING AND WORSHIPING IN HUMILITY
Kimberly Lawrence
Today’s Scripture: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45, ESV
Theme: Worshiping Jesus involves humble service.
HUMBLE WORSHIP
One of the most life-changing experiences I've had in my spiritual journey was during The Cove's series, "Go Bananas." For those of you that weren't here at that time, I can only describe it as one of the most intentional and massive acts of service by hundreds of people, coming together for the benefit of others, in the Name of Jesus Christ. One Saturday, I found myself on a team that was serving meals and providing new shoes to children at a park in Cornelius.
While I was already a Jesus follower, talking to people about it was way outside of my comfort zone. It's private, right? I was assigned to the "feet washing" station where, just as Jesus did, we literally got on our knees to wash the feet of children and place brand new shoes on their feet. This was more than I bargained for! My hands…and someone else’s feet?! Once we placed their feet in new shoes, we then asked if we could pray for them. Yikes! They wanted me to pray out loud, too? I seriously considered just re-assigning myself to the pizza station instead! But God had me right where He wanted me.
NEW SHOES / NEW START
There was a little boy, about eight years old, who came to my station. When he sat down, he took off his old shoes and peeled away his socks. I noticed he had bug bites all over his little feet and I could tell they were sore and itchy. As I poured the clean water over them, he relaxed. Another volunteer brought his new shoes and socks over and we fitted them to his feet. His eyes lit up as he stared down at the shoes that were "all his." At first, he wasn't sure he was allowed to keep them.
As nervous as I was to pray out loud, this child readily bowed his head and clasped his hands together, prepared to thank God for this blessing. While this may or may not have been an experience this child remembers, it will forever be burned in my heart as a time God allowed me to truly experience the sense of fulfilment of service to others. In this most humble posture, physically and spiritually, God blessed me by blessing this child.
A CHANGED HEART
Many Jesus followers would tell you their lives looked very different before they accepted Christ as their Savior. The ways in which they have changed may also look very different. It could mean habits or addictions no longer control them. Perhaps relationships have been restored or even severed. Maybe the places they once frequented, people they socialized with, or the movies and music they once favored have been replaced by those that reflect their changed heart. Often, one of the most notable signs of a new life in Christ is an outward, selfless attention to others. Humility.
ACT LIKE JESUS
The New Testament is full of stories of how Jesus served others as an example for His disciples to follow. And by disciples, He didn't just mean "the Twelve." He meant you, me, and everyone else who would later claim Him as their Savior. He washed feet, healed the lame, fed the hungry, visited the grief-stricken, and communed with the lowly. He didn't just talk about it; He did it! He didn't think about it and "intend" to do it. He humbled Himself. The King of Kings bowed to serve others.
Make It Personal: If your life looks the same today as it did before your salvation, examine what changes you may need to make. Have you experienced the joy of humble service and obedience? Service requires sacrifice: sacrifice of time, attention, energy, and convenience. But don't lose heart. Humility brings with it tremendous reward. Jesus knew that acts of service not only bring relief to the hurting, but they also bring His followers closer to Him. This is true worship and God meets His children there. There is no greater reward than that.
Pray: God, please help me abandon my ego so I can experience the joy of serving Your children, just as You did. Examine my heart and help me to see where my pride prevents me from getting closer to You. Open my heart to opportunities that may initially seem uncomfortable. Open doors so that my gifts may be best used for Your glory. I pray You will help me mature in my spirituality and take bold steps to honor and worship You through my service. Amen.
Read: John 13:12-17; Philippians 2:3-5; James 2:18
Weekly Memory Verse: “He must increase but I must decrease.” John 3:30, ESV