27th March 2024
An opportunity
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him, Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”
John 13:14-17 (NIV)
In the past, I have participated in footwashing ceremonies. I found them very enjoyable and humbling. It was a way to get closer to the other women in our church and at the same time to our Lord. This of course was just an example of the many ways in which you could give service to others. Over the years I have come to find many other opportunities. This footwashing service was time sensitive and exclusive in that it was limited to our church, but many opportunities come out of the blue and you are not always prepared for them. How do you react? I sometimes get that deer in the headlights look. You know you need the Lord’s help to do the things you are not prepared for.
One time I had two ladies under my care for a convention. All was going well until one of the women fell in the car park and had to go to the hospital. It turns out her hip broke causing the fall. I was told that she would be getting a ride home in an ambulance. I was comforted with the thought that she would be well cared for. That is until the last few minutes of the convention. I received a message that told me I would have to pick her up at the hospital and transport her home. How in the world was I going to do this? She needed special care. It turned out that God provided the help, and he had already prepared me for this opportunity. I had had training to be a nursing assistant, and I had learned ways I could get her in and out of the car safely, and a few other necessities along the way. It turned out to be a two-day trip, but I learned a lot of humility and as verse 17 of our header scripture says, I was blessed because of the opportunity to serve in this way.
This service is not just about us of course. Just as Jesus is our help, so others need our help as well and they may need that opportunity to serve us. So, do not be too quick to dismiss that helping hand. We have to learn to be just like Jesus; the greatest servant of all. It is a ‘learn as you work’ situation for us now. Jesus gave us the example. He is working alongside us, teaching us along the way; our guide, our strength, our hand to hold. The day may come when we will be on our own; such as when the disciples were sent out by two to do the work of God without extras; such as clothing, money, and food (Luke 10:1-23; John 10: 22-42), but until then, God will be our teacher and guide. I am so grateful for this.
Every day we have new opportunities to serve Jesus. We do not know what each day will hold, no matter how hard we try to plan them. I like an unplanned day, but all days come with surprises that we do not plan for. One thing I can count on is the help and presence of Jesus, the Father, and the Spirit to be with me. I need that hand to hold. How about you?
Prayer
Merciful God, thank you for the opportunities that you send our way to serve you. Please teach and guide us as we do so. Thank you, God, for your service to us, in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Anne Gillam
About the writer:
Anne Gillam is a retired Pastor in Grace Communion International, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA.
Local congregation:
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