MDTS: Servanthood

This past week,  one of the topics we covered was Servanthood.  This was one of our first talks for two main reasons that I can discern:

1.) As people learning about mercy ministries, learning to be servants is KEY.

2.)We began our work duties the very first day of DTS.

           We talked about the chapter in John 13, when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.  Just before that incident, the disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest among Jesus’ followers.  In both passages, Jesus states, “no servant is greater than his master  .”  I had never before noticed that Jesus actually answered their question with an actual person.  Basically, Jesus is greater; everyone else is His servant.

           

Another interesting point we discussed was how we can draw close to God within our times of servanthood and work.  When we’re tired, tempted to complain about how hard or annoying work is, instead of harping on it, we can bring it God, talk to Him about it, and let Him speak to us!  Ministry and cultivating your relationship with God is not mutually exclusive.  Use your time wisely; surrender that time to Him!

            My work duties on base include cleaning up after meals, cleaning the bathroom and living room of my dorm once a week, and helping to buy groceries three times a week.  I enjoy the food shopping, because it includes a cool ride on the bus, a cool ride on a taxi on the way back, and the chance to bust out my Cantonese.  It seems like less physical work, and I thank God for that.  But as I was showering the first night after doing the shopping the first time, I realized that I could be even more intentional in my service.  My teammate and I could be praying for each of the ladies selling fruits and vegetables at their stall, and taking advantage of opportunities to share about God’s love if we could! 

            Some of you may know that I loathe cleaning.  So having to clean the bathroom and living room really sucks for me.  On Thursday, I carried out my duties, but it was hot, I was sweating profusely, more than a pig, and really tempted to cut corners.  I prayed to God for strength, but spent most of the time just having a blank and numb mind.  I want to be more intentional in this area as well, to be conscious of areas where I’m tempted to slack off, to be careful to do what I know is good (Titus 3), to spend the time talking and praying with Jesus when I’m really exhausted.

            The thing about work duties is not even that I have to do them, but that I have to carry them out in this humidity.  If I wasn’t so sticky all the time,  or exhausted, it might seem easier.  But then that wouldn’t really build character, would it? 

            I’m kind of hoping that part of the advantages of Newheavenandearth would be that there’d be endless air-conditioning for me to enjoy…maybe that’s too hedonistic?