A Discipline of Service

Jesus did not cure the crowds applying proven ministry techniques. He spoke from his heart, acted out of compassion, and left the results to God.
~Henri Nouwen

We are just days away now from heading out east to Swan Quarter, North Carolina, where we will be spending the week offering assistance and service to fine people of this small town, fishing community. For many months we have prepared for our adventure and have prayed diligently about what it is we will be doing. Along the way we have indulged ourselves in a study of spiritual disciplines—the skills and techniques by which we begin to see the image of God in our heart—which have been assisting us in preparation for our trip. Mission work and works of service are just another puzzle piece to the picture of spiritual disciplines and formation. Thus, our time away, venturing off into a new community is yet another discipline we are picking up.

It is helpful to remember that spiritual formation is the careful attentiveness to the world of God, our master sculptor, as we submit to the gradual chipping away of all that is not of God, until the lion is revealed, until we realize that which lies within. Mission work is a time for us to stretch ourselves, denying our own ambitions, and to offer ourselves on behalf of the gospel to those who are in need of an extra hand. However, we must also be mindful of doing the work of service with an attitude of compassion and genuine charity, knowing we go into these places not ‘better than them’ but as brothers and sisters. We mustn’t go in thinking we can provide everything these people need, for if we do, if we focus our entire energies on the ‘good work’ we are doing, we risk not seeing the good work being done to us through the folks we will be helping. We need to approach each trip, each instance of service with eyes wide open and tongues stilled, with no other expectations other than to love and be loved.

To think of service in regards to scripture, there are numerous stories of what service looks like and how to do it. Yet the image which comes to mind is when Christ, the messiah, the Son of God, gathers his 12 closest friends and begins to do something which makes the disciples, makes me, quite uncomfortable. It is cliché it seems to always bring up this particular scene with Jesus, after all it is everywhere in the Christian world, but how fitting it is, and how simply profound too.

Imagine you are in your living room, with your eleven closets friends awaiting a dinner, awaiting the servant of the house to come and prepare you for dinner. As you wait though, you notice Jesus, remember you are in your house, begin to open cabinets and drawers. You can tell he is looking for something but you are not sure. After a while though, the shuffling and searching stops and in walks the Prince of Peace, half naked with a basin of water a few towels.

Jesus then begins to gather you around the circle and gets down on his knees. Now it is really awkward and you begin to shift around in your seat. How can he do this? This isn’t his job. This is not what he is supposed to be doing. After all, he is the one whom we should serve.

Jesus continues to make his way towards you. You sit, fidgeting almost uncontrollably, knowing what is about to happen and not wanting it to. How can He be washing their feet, our feet…my feet? I don’t like my feet. I don’t like washing my own feet, let a lone someone else after I just got done walking and running everywhere. This is quite uncomfortable. I don’t want it to happen…

But it does happen. You stare into the Christ’s eyes and you see the compassion and the tenderness. You see how much he loves you. You see how he looks past the things which you get hung up on. You sit, goose bumps coming over you, as you feel the cold water drip in between your toes and listen intently to the water making its way back into the basin. You no longer feel alone as you feel the once warm, dry towel being wrapped around your feet and feel at peace with every pat of the towel.

Then Jesus says to us, “I have set you an example that you should to as I have done for you.”

And so we are to go, with kindness in our eyes and tenderness in our heart to be Christ to those we meet. We go listening to what God is saying, to what God is calling us to do, and we go with faith. We go with humility, leaving all self-righteous desires at the door. And we go, joining in ministry with one another; after all we are the body of Christ, called to serve one another. Let us be assured though again of the promise Jesus made, “When I go, I will send my spirit, and my spirit will empower you. All things the Father told me, I’m telling you. All the things I’m doing, you will also do, even greater things than I.” We go being a servant, giving up the right to be in charge, the one who will do great things. We go, longing for God’s presence, being freed and available and vulnerable.

We will do greater things than Jesus. We need to trust in the healing power of God, recognizing the ways we have been healed, and allow the same for all of those we encounter along the way. Great things can only happen though when we are ourselves, aware of the gifts we have and sharing them with one another. This work, this service is not to be done alone, it never has been, nor will it ever be. Thanks be to God we have one another. Thanks be to God our body is made up of many parts. Thanks be to God for community.

So as you make your final preparations, take time to let Jesus wash your feet. Take the time to listen to what God is whispering in your ear. Take time and get familiar with your gifts. As you prepare and as we go, may we never forget what God’s name is, Emmanuel—“God with us!” May we find courage then knowing this, knowing we travel not alone, but with each other. May we find the courage needed to be vulnerable with one another, exposing our wounds in order to bring healing to the wounds of others. May we become for the world, a group of wounded healers.

As we prepare to go, find the places where you are called to serve. Find the places where you can be freed by acts of service which will go unknown. Was the dishes, mow the lawn, read to a loved one, visit a nursing home, or walking the neighbors dog. As you middle high prepare for our trip to Murray for City Sights/City Lights, begin to write down your experiences of service, how you felt before and after. Write down those instances where you felt God’s presence and where you met Christ. Begin to think of this discipline of service and how you can begin with small things to do.

Richard Foster says, “The risen Christ beckons us to the ministry of the towel. Such a ministry, flowing out of the inner recesses of the heart, is life and joy and peace. Perhaps you would like to begin by experimenting with a prayer that several of us use. Begin the day by praying, “Lord Jesus, as it would please you bring me someone today whom I can serve.”

Grace and peace to you.


Calendar

June, July and August 2010 Youth Events

June 2010 Events and Dates
6th—Kirk Night
10thth—Youth Bible Study/Sanctus 6:30-8pm
12th-19th—Youth Mission Trip—Merritt Thomas providing send off meal
June 13th—Junior High 5-7 pm mini golf golfland drivers needed
June 20th—Junior High Pool Party at the Loukes’ 5-8pm bring friends (5th-8th)
June 24th—Youth Bible Study/Sanctus 6:30-8pm
June 27th—Senior High Pool Party at the Loukes’ 5-8pm
June 28th-July 2nd—Vacation Bible School

July 2010 Events and Dates
July 1st—Youth Group Bible Study/Sanctus 6:30-8pm
July 4th—(Adam will be out of town) No Youth Group 4th of July
July 6th, 7th & 8th—City Sights/City Lights in Murray, KY
July 8th—Youth Group Bible Study/Sanctus 6:30-8pm
July 11th—Youth Group 5-8pm
July 15th—Youth Group Bible Study/Sanctus 6:30-8pm
July 18th—Youth Group 5-8pm
July 22nd—Youth Group Bible Study/Sanctus 6:30-8pm
July 25th—Youth Group (Maybe trip somewhere overnight?!?!)
July 29th—Youth Group Bible Study/Sanctus 6:30-8pm

August Events and Dates
August 1st—Youth Group 5-8pm
August 5th—Youth Group Bible Study/Sanctus 6:30-8pm
August 8th—Youth Group (off campus trip somewhere????)
August 12th—Youth Bible Study/Sanctus 6:30-8pm
August 13th—Youth Council TBA
August 14th—Youth Council/Presbytery
August 15th—Adam’s last Sunday!!!—Youth Sunday potentially?

Things to take not of:
• In July we usually take a trip to Holiday World on the 28th
• Parents who are interested in what happens next, we are in need of a meeting with Jonathan the week of VBS, it is important you give me a good date which will work for you
• I would like to make a Six Flag Trip happen or some longer weekend stay adventure for our groups (this could even take place of the holiday world trip)
• There will be lots of miscellaneous things to happen to—lunches, etc.
• Would like 1 more lock-in before we go too