Serving can come in many forms. It can be in a very public way for a cause. You can serve privately in little ways. You can even donate money or goods. The point is that you are giving of yourself in some way. I've never wanted the spotlight myself. I'm not the type to toot my own horn. The point of serving in my opinion is to be Christ like, not to get accolades.
When Jesus was on the earth, he served like no one has ever served. Of course he gave his life in the ultimate service, but he also gave in small ways in nearly every act he did upon this planet. One of my favorite stories is the time Jesus humbled himself so much that he washed the feet of his disciples.
Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
John 13:3-17 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.13.3-17.NLT
You see, at this point the disciples were all in, fully committed to Jesus as Lord and savior. They did not know he would die and rise again, but they definitely trusted him and believed his story. So when Jesus knelt down and very carefully and lovingly washed the feet of his friends, they were taken aback. He wanted to show that he was willing to serve, willing to go to any lengths for his message. Hand washing is a very traditional cleansing symbol . Washing your hands of something says that you are divulging yourself of any resposibility, because you have cleaned yourself. You really don't hear much about someone washing someone else's feet. Feet are generally dirty, smelly, and many times just not pretty at all. Humbling yourself by washing someone's feet is the ultimate respect for them.
How willing are you to humble yourself? Are you willing to sacrifice to serve? Are you willing to forgo your image to better your fellow man?
