I had planned to talk about the great things I had seen over the course of this week of service and the first week of the Crazy Campaign. But something else is on my heart and mind right now.
You know we all are called to live lives of service and many times it's not recognized, acknowledge or applauded. You servants don't seek the spotlight, the cameras, the attention - they just serve.
Well this morning one of the most giving and selfless servants I have met passed away. His name was Pastor Jack Morris. I thought I would share with everyone some of the lessons on service he taught me.
1. Servants are in touch with the needs of others
Pastor Morris had a knack for knowing when you were going through something even when you didn't tell him. He would invite me out to lunch or offer a word in time without me telling him anything. I look back now and wonder how he knew but maybe it's because servants are in tune with others and are able to figure out when things are different with them. Let's strive to tune in to others around us.
2. Servants regard people as more important than things
I can't count the number of gifts Pastor Morris gave away to me and others that I have personally witnessed. It may not have been recognized at the time, but he actually spent his money to get those things. They were his. But he was not one to hold on to things but would rather give to others. There are many young people in churches all over who were able to attend church schools, youth congresses, camporees and other events because of his gifts. Let's not look at our stuff and our money as more important than people.
3. Servants take time to show those close to them they love them
Maybe the most important lesson Pastor Morris showed me was how important it is to show love to your family and loved ones by giving them your time. He adored his wife and you could see it in their interaction. He loved each of his children and was so proud of them and he would tell stories of having a day for each of them growing up.
It's important that we serve those overseas and in our neighborhoods. God has called us to reach out beyond our family. But more than that He's called us to show love to our family by giving them our time and ourselves. It would be a shame if everyone else can testify that I'm a servant but my own family not see it. Let's make an effort to show our family our love by serving them by letting them know it and investing time with them. Let's show our parents we love them as well as our siblings. I know it seems cool to be at odd with our parents but real servants show love to their parents.
I'm going to deeply miss Pastor Jack Morris. I plan to use these lessons to be a better servant. I hope you do to. Please keep his family in prayer. I look forward to seeing him when Jesus comes back.
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Although, I didn't know Pastor Morris on a personal level as a lot of people did, I considered him to be so influential in my decision to prove the Lord if you will. It was at Campmeeting last year, that Pastor Morris charged us to try God to see that HE will fulfill his promises!!! Although this was an appeal during offering, it was a break from the norm, which is you need to give in order to keep bills paid and to keep things in order. To hear Pastor Morris' genuine testimonies of what happened when he not only returned a faithful tithe, but when he made a sacrificial offering as well. And to this day, I reflect back on that moment in time, because it is not always to trust God, but we overcome by the word of our testimonies!!
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