Service (Chapter 4)
Chapter Four
Service
Living in a military community, I have constantly seen the effects of sacrifice and committment to an employer that demands discipline and obedience. Although primarily a Navy community, the ports of Hampton Roads are served by all branches of the military. Often called the armed forces, they employ thousands who have made a committment to honor, serve, and defend our country. The demands of family and the faith, hope, and concern by loved ones when a serviceman is away from home are not unique to servicemen. They do make up'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">make up a concentrated example of people sacrificing for a cause. The hardships associated with seperation and the faith required to sustain that seperation have both bonded and shattered marriages. It is a testing ground for character.
To be armed is to be prepared. The physical stockpile is only a portion of the readiness required. Loyalty, duty, training, responsibility, and leadership are all part of being armed and ready. Whether in the military or serving our fellow beings in any other capacity, we serve best if we are armed and ready.
Christ spent 30 years preparing for his short ministry among men. He said: "...but he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." Matthew 23:11
Of those who prepare but don't share, it could be said that they are "ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:7
"Be Prepared" is the admonition of the boy scouts. It is also the admonition of the Savior. Christ described it as magnifying our talents. To truly serve we must know the master. Christ said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40
Truly, to serve mankind is to serve God. It is not important where we serve, but how. Wisdom dictates making favorable choices that might determine the scope and location of our efforts, but the growth comes from what we do. Where we are is important only in our being where we ought to be, "on the job."
Service is how wee perform. it may be in our employment, our dealings with our family and friends, our attitude and actions toward strangers and the less fortunate.
Being armed for service is being prepared. The Epistle to the Corrinthians records Paul's counsel to put on the whole armor of God. As with soldiers , we need his shield and protection.
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:13-17
Good armor gives us confidence. Great comfort is felt in knowing that God's protection is extended toward us.
Being skilled is necessary to overcome the clumsiness of inexperience and the folly of overconfidence. A good soldier is skilled in defense. A well prepared serviceman is skilled in the 2ualities of service which include faith, virtue, brotherly kindness, righteousness, purity, and truth. Being thus prepared we can render service in confidence.
Soldiers stand in readiness. The day to day task is to support and sustain. They are prepared for the eventuality of having to defend the cause and may willingly give their life for it. But the major role they play is as a deterrent. We, too, can guard against the evils of our day. Our attitude and obedience can help us stand above the crowd, our armor radiating sunshine, peace, and hope to those who find comfort and r4eassurance in faith. A strong subversive tactic used to conquer is to weaken the enemy by attacking the moral fiber of the soldiers. A weakened and confused army looses its effectiveness. It no longer serves. Service is giving. If we do not replentish our storehouse of life sustaining support, we cannot help others, nor ourselves.
Service given in love is like working with morrors. We can concentrate reflected sunlight and put it where it does the most good. As long as we can draw upon the source, we can share the warmth. To share with one another makes it easier for both. Many a long and difficult task has come to its conclusion where people working together and having fun have commented: "Are we through already? That wasn't so hard! We must get together more often! We MUST get together more often. Every kindness we do is uplifting to another. The job becomes easier, the outcome more promising, the reward greater. If we truly and unselfishly give of ourselves in service, the return that we can use for our own self improvement and self fulfillment increases. It is a divine gift.
In the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the Savior gathered the meager stores of the crowd and when shared they fed the multitude. He magnified the gifts'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">the gifts to enrich the givers. We too can help feed the needs of the hungry. We can give of ourselves in such a way that God increases in us our outpouring and we magnify our gift. We must have something to share. You can't feed from an empty basket.
My experiences in dining out have varied. I have often desired another roll and had the basket empty. I have been in restaurants where the service is so good that your water glass in never empty. The people waiting tables do not wait to see that your glass is empty or that you are thirsty. They give a little or a lot depending on need and have determined beforehand that noone will have an empty glass.
Whether we realise it or not, God wants us to enjoy the bounty of his blessings. He freely offers his assistance. He responds when we call on Him. Christ is the source of "living water." He has promised to those that drink from Him that they will never thirst (John 4:13-14) He has invited us to sit at his table. (Luke 22:30) There the water glasses are never empty.
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