Service

I've heard not-so-nice stories about other people's colleagues at the workplace, about all the workplace politics, demanding bosses etc. My parents also always told me that being a student is always better than being in the working world. Perhaps that might be generally true, based on the many experiences that I've heard from my working friends.

However, I really enjoy going to work. I think it's even better than student life. Apart from the fact that there are not tests/exams, I think it's largely because the working environment I'm at is so supportive, and I could not ask for more. There's ALWAYS help when we run into problems and crisis situations. And sometimes, I don't even need to ask. My colleagues are self-sacrificial and seek to serve rather than to be served.

It's a wonderful experience and I'm in awe of what goes on at work because I've never had such an experience before. I think it's a beautiful reflection of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. And I know my colleagues are believers, because of the person that they reflect - the servanthood of Jesus.

I tend to think of being a Christian as having to be holy and blameless, and of course, that is definitely a characteristic of the new birth (a true believer). But recently, as I read the gospels, I realise that another key aspect of children of God is humble service. And it's very key in fact, because,

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

God revealed Himself in Christ. God, who has all authority and glory, taking human flesh so that He could serve and save us.

Perhaps, I've overlooked the beauty of service, that it is in service that we see Christ. I tend to shy away from menial tasks, and I would rather do things that grant me more recognition. I seek my own interests rather than the interests of others.

Of course, I'm not saying we should all go and do menial tasks and forget about our own work. Neither am I saying that being in a position of recognition is a bad thing or selfish thing. It can be a good thing to be in a position of authority or recognition, yet I think Christ portrays what it means to serve, even though He is God.

Knowing this shapes the way I will interact with my clients, since I've been given capacity to serve them. Whenever there is opportunity or I have the capacity to serve, I hope I'll begin to not shy away or push it to someone else.

Service is definitely not my "love language"(reference to 5 love languages by Gary Chapman), but if that's how God shows that He loves, then it doesn't matter what my "love language" is. By grace, I hope that I'll be able to seek to serve, rather than to be served.