Self-Service?

When I was in Nigeria a few years ago for my cousin’s wedding, I was surprised to see that there were attendants at the gas stations. My cousin’s future brother-in-law was driving us around in a Toyota Camry. When he pulled into a gas station, he didn’t hop out; he let the attendant serve us. I’m so used to self-service, it was a startling experience.

I’m used to self-service in another way, too: at work. My attitude about my work can be self-centered, without me even trying. I worry about my reputation. I get stressed about my responsibilities, and think about how they affect me. My motive, if I’m honest, is about me, too: I need the benefits and the paycheck!

While it’s normal and good to be mindful of our own needs, limiting our thoughts and feelings about work to ourselves can be stifling. True joy in work comes from a different focus: serving others.

Jesus’ disciples were once bickering with each other about who was “the greatest.” Who was at the top of the leaderboard in the Jesus project? He wasn’t about that. He said:

Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Luke 22:26-27 NIV

Jesus compares himself to a table attendant, which probably had about the same social status in his time as a gas station attendant. He’s saying, if my way of life is becoming your way of life, you’ll serve others with humility. If we think Jesus knows what he’s talking about, we can trust him that the mindset of serving others leads to greater joy than self-service.

Today, what would it look like to take on your work as a way to serve the needs of others?