Authentic Servanthood

I have had the pleasure of traveling worldwide and the privilege of being served by many people. The beautiful flight attendant who smiles while she tells you to put your seat in the upright position, the kaleidoscope of the crew on the cruise ships, who seem happy to cater to the guest's every whim and the invisible people who clean my hotel room. Every day, when I return from a long day of tourism or work, I find my room refreshed and sanitized, as if someone waved a magical wand.

These seemingly happy helpers fascinate me, so whenever I have the opportunity, I ask them questions. One lady worked on a crew ship for twelve years, and since the birth of her first daughter, she now has two daughters. She works on cruise ships for six months of the year, and her sister cares for her children during this time. She told me with a big smile that she gets to spend six months of the year at home. However, I only heard that she spent six years of her twelve-year-old daughter's life working to send money home to her family. What a tremendous sacrifice, a selfless act that commands admiration.

When we think of servanthood in the church, it is often related to abstract ideas like washing each other's feet (figuratively, of course), leading with humility (as long as I can be the leader), and sacrificing like Christ (as long as my comfort zone remains intact). It seems far removed from the harsh reality of authentic servanthood. Sacrificing time with family, compromising physical and mental health, and enduring abuse from entitled customers. This type of servanthood arises out of necessity, desperation, and limited choices but glows with dignity, authenticity, and gratitude. These servants know that their livelihood depends on their exemplary service.  The joy and contentment I see in these service providers is a stark contrast to the potential lack of joy in my own servanthood.

Maybe this is the problem in the church. We profess a theology of Christlike servanthood, but we have no necessity to make it part of our identity, no urgency to live it. We profess an ideal that we have no intention of accomplishing; we just like the way it impacts our image.

Jesus warned his disciples against the pagan practices of the Gentiles, who lord it over their subjects; instead, we must follow his example: "Just as the Son of Man came not be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). Jesus felt the necessity and urgency to save the people he loved so much. His urgency should inspire us to serve with the same passion and dedication. He had compassion on them (Mark 6:34), met their need and served them, asked them what they wanted him to do for them, and made the ultimate sacrifice, his life for theirs.

Jesus's suffering became a means of grace to him because, through his suffering, he was made perfect for his purpose, the salvation of humanity (Hebrews 2:10). This is a powerful example of the transformative power of servanthood. Maybe this can be our motivation to espouse authentic servanthood: the possibility that we might be made perfect for God's purposes in our lives as we serve the people he loves. Servanthood is not just a duty, but a path to personal growth and fulfillment.

I must confess that I, like many, find it easier to be served than to serve. But I am also acutely aware of my desire to be made perfect for God's purposes in my life. So, I will take a page from the books of all those who serve me so generously; I will strive to serve as if my life depended on it because it does. This is an ongoing struggle, but one that I am committed to overcoming.