Are You Being Served?

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about learning to be content that God is pleased with me even when I am being criticized by other people.  I am trying to learn not to beat myself up because others are disappointed with me or simply think I am not good enough.  On my own I am not good enough, but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).  The realization that the very thing I do to please one person might simultaneously irritate, annoy or anger someone else reminded me that I should be striving to please God and not men (Galatians 1:10). The seemingly ironic thing is that to please God I must serve my fellow man (John 13:14-15).  This seems to put me in a quandary, but I know that there is a balance that I must strive for.  I always must put God first and serve others, but knowing that I can't always please others I must be content to serve them and receive criticism for it sometimes.  

In this world that says, "do what you want to do," "do what feels good," and "do what makes you happy;" I must stand apart and do what pleases the Lord, for that is where true joy is found.  Hopefully it will often mean meeting a real need and being appreciated, but it doesn't always work that way.  Sometimes it will mean giving someone what they need instead of what they want, as the Lord often does with me.  Sometimes it will mean speaking the truth in love.  Often it will mean setting aside what one person wants to meet the needs of another, but it is still putting God first and serving others.  

I recently had this principle of receiving joy by serving others brought to life in a very simple way.  I was addressing Christmas Cards to friends and family and as I got to the end of my list (not alphabetically) I became discouraged.  I started thinking crazy things like, "I never hear from this person, why should I send them a greeting?"  How ridiculous!  Somehow I had let the process of sending out cards become about me instead of the people who I was wishing a Merry Christmas.  I asked Eric if I should send cards to this person or that person, and his response was, "Well, you have the stamps."  He left the room and I began to think about my attitude and realign my perspective.  I started thinking about how it may bless the people to know that someone was thinking of them.  True, they may not like the particular card or even appreciate the thought, but that is not for me to worry about.  As I wrote out the remaining greetings as an expression of love to others, wishing for nothing in return, I was filled with joy once more.  I had grown weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), but it was such a blessing to receive that second wind and reenforcing life lesson.  Serving is for the other person.  Yes, the server receives a blessing of joy, but if their motives become corrupted it robs them of that joy.  

So the lesson continues.  On the journey through this world God is working to transform me into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29)(2Corinthians 3:18).  It's a process, but someday it will be complete (Philippians 1:6) (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).  The longer I struggle against my human nature, which wants it's own way, the more I long for that day.  Until it arrives I will thank my God that His grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:19) when I stumble along this road.  Praise the Lord!  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever! (Psalm 106:1)

So you can answer the title question this time if you want to, or you can share your own story of one of your own life lessons.  :)