Small Acts of Humble Service

Today’s post about Small Acts of Humble Service is first in our series, Missions: Participating in the Great Commission Right Where We Are. 

When I was young, missions work intrigued me! My Bible class teacher told me first hand stories of his work with people in the Amazonian jungle. The tales ignited a desire in me to go and serve. The idea of traveling to unknown lands and taking Christ’s love to people who lived an entirely different life than I did sounded like so much fun! In my limited understanding, I knew that it must be hard, but I still sugar coated it in my mind.

Fast forward… To this day, I’ve never had the honor of going overseas on a mission trip. But over the years, I have had the honor and privilege of serving God locally, right where I’ve lived. These experiences have taught me that yes, it’s amazing and exciting to share God’s love, but it often doesn’t look anything like I’d dreamed.

I love the story of Jesus’ washing His disciples feet. In this two-fold action, He shares with us lessons on forgiveness and humble service.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,  rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:3-5)

I love this explanation in Cheli’s introduction to our series:  “Some organizations… create pathways to the gospel through caring provision and relationship building.”

Her words perfectly describe a ministry to hurting girls that I was blessed to help.

I was excited at the prospect of being able to serve in any capacity.

So, I went. And all day long, I stood, measured, and cut shelf liner to line the cupboards. Why? Because that was the task they needed someone to do.

That’s it.

It really isn’t much of a story at all, is it? But that’s the point.

This “non-story” was such a beautiful experience that writing about it right now makes me want to cry.

I was humbled to be in God’s presence, serving His daughters. And I realized then that service might look like a dirty foot in the face.

Or, it might look like snipping some shelf liner.

Jesus taught us that service is for the humble, those willing to give what they can and do as He does. So that day, I did what I could to help young ladies get back on their feet. I provided a small, menial task so that others in the ministry would be free to focus intently on doing the work of healing, teaching, and ministering.

So… I cut shelf liner.

Service and missions don’t necessarily mean Amazonian jungles (although they may) or traveling to unknown lands (although they may). 

Sometimes service is “small” and local. But truly, no offering is too small for God to use. God can and will use our efforts for His glory and to the benefit of His kingdom!

How is He calling you to serve today? 

Ali