Becoming an Ambassador 3: Called to Serve

This is the third in an ongoing series on becoming an ambassador of Christ, based on this challenging verse: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:20). You can read the first post here  and second one here.

My friend Julia (not her real name) is a true servant. She is always looking for ways to serve. Sometimes she asks: “Do you need anything?” “May I bring you something to drink?” “Here, let me take that plate for you.” Often she just does it. If a child needs attention, Julia gives her attention. When prayer is needed, she prays. And so much more.

I can just imagine Jesus smiling as he watches her. After all, these are some of His last words spoken before He went to the cross:

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:12-15)

Sometimes I recognize a tinge of jealousy in myself toward Julia—and others who have a serving gift. All of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus are called to serve. Julia does so effortlessly. But I have to be alert to those opportunities and needs—and (willingly) step into them.

Becoming a parent made it a lot easier. Parenting is serving: a newborn baby, the first steps of a toddler, the 25th time to read the same book, endless laundry, endless food prep, taxi duty. Yes, as they get older, we teach them to do things themselves. But one way they will learn to serve is seeing a servant’s heart lived out.

A group of Thailand believers committed to answering God’s call to serve.

Serving is often doing.  But it can also be listening, encouraging, praying, just being with. It is also recognizing and acknowledging strength, skills, effort, kindness in others.

And serving is attitude. Gratefully, our Lord is always working to grow attitudes of love, mercy, grace and gratitude in us, His children.

In us, His ambassadors.

For our assignment as His ambassador is to represent Him, to become more like Him, to be and do as He would in each situation.

And that includes to serve.

 What about you? What is a recent serving opportunity?

 C2019 Judy Douglass

 Photo by Anna Earl on Unsplash