Sacramental Living

I’m experiencing a new kind of service to others. I call it “Why Bother?” service.

Example:

Today I set up shop at my favorite table in my favorite local Starbucks to read, think, pray, write. I ordered my black-eye (coffee with 2 shots). I fired up the iPod.

The barista I’ve gotten to know chats with me. She knows I’m a pastor. She’s been to our church building for an area newcomers’ gathering. We established talking points with her and her boyfriend. We had been working on building relationship with them to bring them into the fellowship of Grace Community Church.

She looks tired this morning. She looks stressed.

“How’s it going?” I say.

“Oh, I’m tired and stressed,” she says (exactly how I thought she was feeling … which is rarity for me to be so perceptive).

“Why?” I respond.

“I’m moving in two weeks back to Seattle,” she elucidates.

“Oh, I understand … Is this a good thing, a good move?”

“Yes, it is.”

I pay, sit down … as soon as the fresh coffee is brewed she brings me my order.

As I wait, my inner monologue expels some words like “crap,” “shoot,” and perhaps another one or two I won’t specify here.

She’s moving back to SEATTLE! She won’t be coming to worship. She won’t be involved in a Community Group. She won’t be someone with and through whom we can experience Jesus. Because in two weeks she’ll be 3000 miles away … for good!

Now that I’ve finished my black-eye, the Spirit just gave me one (a black eye, that is):

“Why are you so selfish?” asks the Spirit.

“What?” I say, stupidly.

“What makes you think that you can only build relationships and serve and love others for the sake of your parish? I loved and continue to love others just for the chance to give my life away? I serve others because that is the way of obedience to God the Father. Now get your butt up there and serve her out of compassion and not out of selfishness.”

So when I pack up here, I’ll be asking her how I and my friends can help her prepare to move. Will she need help packing, loading, running errands, childcare? I’ll give her my card (again) and tell her we really want to help because we just want to show her God’s kindness.

I’ll serve because I’m called to serve (and you are, too). I’ll serve because Jesus does, and not because I want to get something out of it.

Why bother? Because, I am called to be obedient to the person of God, the love of the Spirit, and the way of Jesus.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
How have you served someone today?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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