If I ask you, would you like to have someone at your service 24/7? Or Would you like to have by your side a person that everything you ask for, you receive thanks to that person's service? It would be nice, right? But, what happens if I ask you, would you like to serve someone 24/7 for the rest of your life? What would you tell me? Surely you would answer quickly; you are crazy!
Unfortunately, society has accustomed us to being served instead of serving. We want everything given to us. The less effort we invest, the better. In our daily struggle to get what we want, we forget to take time to see the needs of those around us, and we focus only on our necessities and desires and how to satisfy them. For many, the fewer sacrifices they have to make, the better, but they demand from others what they cannot give themselves.
This same desire to satisfy ourselves has made us forget that we were created to serve, not the other way around. We forget that we have a great commission to fulfill and that we must dedicate our lives to fulfilling that mandate. Many get used to search their benefit and wear themselves out trying to satisfy their ego. Some people even dive into an insatiable search for material possessions and positions, just to fill a void that can only be filled by God. Sometimes we forget that not even Christ, who deserved it, came to be served. Then why do we act as if we deserve everything when we do not deserve anything. "For even, the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45.
Why do so many people lose their lives looking for positions and titles? Does a title make you a better person? Does it make you more spiritual? Many seek to be in positions of authority within the Church, but is their true intention to serve? Unfortunately, their motives are incorrect; many only seek power and recognition and even see themselves as the most spiritual by feeding their ego, but God is clear about this; in order to be recognized by Him, we must serve others. Then Jesus sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, let him be last of all and servant of all." Mark 9:35.
When we serve with the right intentions, we walk under God's Will, we can see the fruits bloom, and we receive His blessings. His master replied, “You have done well, good and faithful servant! In little you have been faithful; I'll put you in charge of much more. Come and share your master's happiness! “Matthew 25:21. Serving brings happiness, joy, and reward from God.
Why do you serve? “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." Matthew 6:1-5.
My advice today is to examine your intentions, and recognize what drives you? Are you serving for everyone to see you, to be recognized, or to get something in return? Or do you serve because you genuinely have a desire to help and bless? What reward do you seek? A recompense from men or God? Do you prefer the short-lived praise of men or the recognition of your Heavenly Father that is eternal? Take time and reflect on this.
