"To Serve and be Served" by: Kara Taylor and Keith Huffer

After Christmas this year, my husband and I traveled to California to visit family members. Little did we know that we would meet a homeless man who would teach us a valuable lesson. The man sought shelter off a busy street in Los Angeles after dark in an unlit alcove which could deflect the cold wind. He was lying on his side crunched up from the chill, covered by a thin blanket that barely disguised his body from passing cars. He was willing to sleep there, exposed to strangers who might happen to walk by at all hours of the night, and then leave at sunrise before the business owner would arrive.

We felt bad for the man, but walked into the warm house. Our family sat down to a homemade turkey soup dinner, which hit the spot on a cold winter day. However, we could not stop thinking about the man that was outside. My husband asked, “Should we take him something?” My dad, taking initiative, found a plastic bowl and filled it with a generous portion of soup. We were hesitant, but went outside to offer it to the man along with a warm blanket. The man was embarrassed. He hid his face and kept shaking his head. We insisted upon our gesture and left the bowl by his side, and covered him with the blanket. He appeared to be grateful, revealing only his eyes.

As we walked back to the house, I realized that it is difficult to accept someone's service. We have always been encouraged to “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men (Ephesians 6:7).” This is true, but it is also important to receive someone else's service. Often times, I find myself telling others, “Oh you don't have to do that for me...I will do it....I don't want you to go to the trouble.” Sound familiar?

When we turn down someone's service, we are not respecting ourselves or others. Allowing someone to serve you, encourages them to experience the work of Jesus. Moreover, accepting someone's service enables you to care for yourself.

Take note of the frequently quoted verse, “Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).” When it's broken apart, you can see “love yourself.” This means that it is important to be attentive to ourselves, so we can better serve and love others.

When I approached the homeless man, I thought I would be scared and have nothing in common with him. I was wrong. I identified with him. It is easy to feel uncomfortable with someone serving us. However, we should confidently accept someone's offer with gratitude. All of us are working toward a common goal.“It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:24).”