Not To Be Served, But To Serve

By Gobel Brockman


Back in the 80's I was working at a hospital in Terre Haute. One day we were helping an elderly female patient get out of a wheelchair and back into bed. She was visibly upset, not because of her illness, but because people were having to 'wait on her hand and foot.' She was worried to death she was 'being a bother'. I told her, "If my guess is right, you've probably spent the vast majority of your life waiting on other people, so there's nothing wrong with you getting to be on the receiving end for a little bit." A stunned expression came on her face, and she had no answer other than a little grin. She stopped protesting at that point.

I can't help but love people like that. Folks who not only don't expect too much from others, but actually feel uncomfortable watching others wait on them. It brings to mind the words of Jesus that are the title of this week's devotional: "I came not to be served, but to serve, and give my life as a ransom for many." One thing that I must admit I get irritated at is people who have a sense of entitlement, but the thing is, if anyone ever had the right to feel that way, it was Jesus. He was God in the flesh. Ruler, Creator, and Owner of all. Everything - and everyone - was at His command. But not only did He NOT ask for what was rightfully His, He came and laid down His perfect life for people that didn't deserve it. People like me. Now THAT'S a servant's heart.

I'll close with another story. A minister told a story once about the late Rich Mullins, Christian recording artist, probably best known for his song, "Awesome God". One year at the Dove Awards, there was a pre-show banquet. Things weren't going well and the kitchen staff was running behind. Here were all these Christian artists complaining angrily about how things were moving so slow and how they were having to wait. Then someone noticed Rich's jacket on the back of a chair, but he was nowhere to be seen. Eventually he was found - helping the kitchen staff. A lot of people were humbled that evening. "I came not to be served, but to serve..." May we remember the words - and example - that Jesus has left us as we follow Him.

At the Risk of Repeating Myself, I'll Repeat Myself

By Gobel Brockman


"Sometimes we need to be reminded that not everything in our lives is about us. Sometimes God wants to use our life experiences to speak to someone else. Sometimes He wants us to endure so others can learn to trust through our example. But the bottom line to all of this is simple: if what I'm going through is God's will for me at that moment, he has a reason for it. I may not even see it in this lifetime, but I know there is regardless. My job - and yours - is to trust Him, follow Him, and obey Him in every circumstance."

The above quote is part of the devotional I posted on September 18, 2011. Since writing this, I have lost a granddaughter and my Mother. As I was reading through past devotionals I came across this quote. My hope is that I have dealt with things in such a way that Christ has been honored through it all. I know I have been talking a lot in my devotionals lately about times of testing and the need to realize that our lives on this earth are temporary. I don't mean to be repetitive, but circumstances in my life, and the lives of others, are proving time and time again the need to keep these things in the forefront of our minds.

I consider myself a VERY blessed man. I have a fairly decent-paying job in a fairly rough economy. I love my wife and my children immensely. Being a Grandpa has been amazing beyond words. But I have a constant need to remind myself that more than any of that, I am created by God first and foremost for relationship with HIM - through what His Son Jesus did on the cross, for THAT is what eternity is based on. I guess what I'm saying this week is this: it's OK - no, it's more than OK - to enjoy your life on this earth. Love your families. Enjoy your job (at least the best you can). Laugh with your children. Spoil those grandkids rotten, then send them home with your kids. (They deserve it.) Just always keep in mind most of all that your main purpose in this world is to walk in fellowship with the One Who created you - the One we'll also account to when it's all said and done.