Satisfaction in Service!
When babies are born they only know one thing: “if I cry: someone’s coming to give me something to eat, change my diaper, or hold me when I feel like it.”
In those days we learn that the world is all about me. But a little later on the shocking truth is revealed: not every time will Mom and Dad answer my every whim. When children grow up they see that they are part of a family, part of a community, that works together and sacrifices for the peace and happiness of the family.
I believe we find that a lesson on such a principle in the Book of
I Corinthians the 13th chapter. It states the following:
“4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
We see here that Love provides the avenue to serve others. We also recognize a distinction between a world that teaches “it is all about me” to a concept of caring for those hurting, those in need. Hey this is not something new; Jesus was teaching this 2,000 years ago!
Jesus asks those who follow him to reflect upon the following:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; . . . For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus is asking us to do the impossible! We are driven from a young age to pursue the satisfaction of fulfilling self. But Jesus contradicts that philosophy by stating that the secret which will bring satisfaction and contentment is: serving God and serving others! This comes when we release our lives from self-deception. In order to find fulfillment, we need to drop the mirror and realize that there are others who have needs that we can help with! That is, after all, what made America great 400 years ago!