What Do I Get For This?

Living the servant life isn't very popular. Think about it when you ask little kids what they want to be when they grow up how many say, "I want a career where I'm considered last and I keep giving of myself to others." If they do it's because they've been well-coached by their parents.

But our world doesn't value ideals like reaching out selflessly to meet the needs of others and not hitting back when you are attacked or surrendering your rights for the good of others.

I began thinking that because of this wiiserve movement we are creating a culture where youth are affirmed for service. Some were given awards for being outstanding servants at our Youth Congress. But even doing that can have it's drawbacks. It can tempt us into thinking that everyone will accept our service with admiration and accolades. We may begin to believe that when we step aside and allow someone to have what we should, they will acknowledge it and be grateful. We may even think that people won't take advantage of our kindness and walk over us anymore.

Well if we're ever tempted to think that way, I'm sure reality will take that thought out of our minds. But more than that, if we look at the life of the ultimate servant, Jesus, we see that His service was rewarded with rejection. His kindness was repaid with crucifixion. His giving was met with ungratefulness. And honestly that's what we encounter when we serve like Him at times.

So what do we get for this - for serving, for stepping back, for doing the WWJD thing? We get the chance to be like Jesus. To serve like Him, live like Him, even suffer like Him. Doesn't seem appealing yet? How about this - we'll get to live in a place with Him and be with Him. I'll take it. Seems like a great deal for me. How about you?