One thing I can remember very vividly: as a kid, my sisters and I would help my dad sweep the freshly cut grass. He would say to us, “Girls can help their dad with the grass too! It’s not just for the boys!” (Of course this girl power moment probably had more to do with the fact he had three daughers and a son yet to be born)
I did not like having to do it at first, but slowly, the joy of being a servant flooded my heart. With broom in hand, I swept to the best of my ability and felt so accomplished and happy when I was finished. That feeling of my dad being proud of my mad grass-sweeping skills made my give my all – with even greater end results.
Recently I led my church’s youth group into the debris scattered back yard of a church member’s house. We helped rake her leaves and cleaned up tree debris that had been building up for years. Thoughts of hot afternoons working with my dad and sisters came rushing back. As the youth group’s leader, I knew that they would follow my example and that my enthusiasm – or lack there-of, would shape their experience.
Being a servant doesn’t usually come with a grand reward from the person who you do a service for, but it has a special place in God’s heart and He will reward you – whether it be material in this earthly life or when we meet Him in Heaven.
“Servants (slaves), be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive and with all your heart, as [service] to Christ [Himself]—
Not in the way of eye-service [as if they were watching you] and only to please men, but as servants (slaves) of Christ, doing the will of God heartily and with your whole soul;
Rendering service readily with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men,
Knowing that for whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.”
– Ephesians 6:5-8 (AMP)
