aversion to serve
serving.
first response to the word probably brings about a few thoughts: 1) what others do for me at a restaurant, 2) what you do in tennis or ping pong, or 3) something i want others to do for me and that i don’t want to do for others.
it seems there is a built-in aversion to the thought of lowering yourself before others and serving them, unless we hope to get something in return. if our job is to serve others we don’t seem to mind as long as we get paid for it.
but what about serving others and getting no pay, getting no reward, getting nothing in return?
what if instead it was going to cost you more time, more energy, more money? in fact, it was going to cost you your reputation, your standing, your pride? it would mean that others would go first, others would have their needs met, others would find joy, others would prosper.
there is a natural aversion to serving.
its natural to who we are as capitalists, humanity, and 21st century people. instead we demand to be served, expect to have our needs met, want to be first, and complain when things are not just like we want them. you would think that with those expectations, demands, and wants we would be the happiest people on earth.
instead we are dreadfully frustrated and unhappy.
Jesus introduced not just something He taught, but something He lived. He practiced an aversion to being served. He pulled away from moments where He was being elevated. He put others’ needs above His own. He sacrificed His way, wants, demands, and expectations for the sake of others.
as a result He had real life! He was filled with joy in His sacrifice. He was filled with purpose even in loss. He was filled with confidence that enabled Him to humble Himself to the lowest form of serving.
could it be that we have it all wrong? could it be that what we fear most is what we need most?
