As I reflected on this prompt, my mind immediately jumped to all the volunteer activities I’ve been committed to over the years: I’ve taught Sunday School on 3 continents, mentored young girls, tutored, volunteered at my local food club, read stories to Indian students, served on committees, and been involved in scores of other service opportunities. I was the volunteer student accountant at a Christian university in Kenya for many years. I babysit my grandchild one day a week. All of these are/were experiences that used my gifts, made a difference, and were mostly enjoyable. They almost always produced feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction, and there may have been times when they brought me joy, but too often they felt more like an obligation, a responsibility, a duty that needed to be completed more than an act of service. There was the pressure of preparation, regret at missing a conflicting event, or the tyranny of a weekly scheduled activity. Perhaps I’ve had the wrong attitude or misguided motivations? Or maybe it’s because I’m getting older; doing things takes longer and more energy and I really enjoy just being at home? Possibly I’m too selfish, more focused on myself than others? Unfortunately, this makes me feel guilt, not joy.
And then I had an epiphany: perhaps I was looking at service much too narrowly. My definition, recognition, and expectation of service needed to be expanded. Spontaneity with no agenda or expectations rather than scheduled commitment. When Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, it was not a pre-scheduled appointment or a duty; it was an instinctive act of service, love, and sacrifice meant to bless someone else. It was not about her, it was not about checking off one more item on her “to do” list; it was motivated by providing comfort, and it no doubt brought both Jesus and Mary great joy. As someone who doesn’t always experience joy, I realized that I do experience genuine joy in doing random acts of service. Not great, preplanned gestures, but things I hope make a difference in the life of someone else. Actions like retrieving a cart from a parking spot, holding a door open, giving my Aldi cart to someone else without accepting the quarter, making eye contact and smiling at a stranger, making a friendly comment to someone next to me in line, being courteous and grateful to salespeople, intentionally approaching someone who is standing alone in a gathering, picking up litter, giving away items I no longer need to someone who does. I find joy in sending cards to church members, sometimes for a specific reason, sometimes just to let someone know that they are being thought of. As an elder in my church, I find great joy in serving communion and participating as a liturgist. It feels natural and authentic. I like to think that Jesus would do the same things.
I am reminded of an autistic man in my community who has created an “over-the-top” costume for every holiday and rides his bicycle while wearing the outfit of the month. People smile, wave, and honk their horns. He doesn't ask for or expect anything in return. "Every time I go to the park or playground, a lot of kids come up to me, and they come around to me like sheep to a shepherd. [...] I just love seeing the smiles and joy and wonder in their eyes and faces and it brings back the memories from when I was a young little kid at their age. I love seeing those kinds of moments."
This man knows how to serve.
— cmshingle
And then I had an epiphany: perhaps I was looking at service much too narrowly. My definition, recognition, and expectation of service needed to be expanded. Spontaneity with no agenda or expectations rather than scheduled commitment. When Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, it was not a pre-scheduled appointment or a duty; it was an instinctive act of service, love, and sacrifice meant to bless someone else. It was not about her, it was not about checking off one more item on her “to do” list; it was motivated by providing comfort, and it no doubt brought both Jesus and Mary great joy. As someone who doesn’t always experience joy, I realized that I do experience genuine joy in doing random acts of service. Not great, preplanned gestures, but things I hope make a difference in the life of someone else. Actions like retrieving a cart from a parking spot, holding a door open, giving my Aldi cart to someone else without accepting the quarter, making eye contact and smiling at a stranger, making a friendly comment to someone next to me in line, being courteous and grateful to salespeople, intentionally approaching someone who is standing alone in a gathering, picking up litter, giving away items I no longer need to someone who does. I find joy in sending cards to church members, sometimes for a specific reason, sometimes just to let someone know that they are being thought of. As an elder in my church, I find great joy in serving communion and participating as a liturgist. It feels natural and authentic. I like to think that Jesus would do the same things.
I am reminded of an autistic man in my community who has created an “over-the-top” costume for every holiday and rides his bicycle while wearing the outfit of the month. People smile, wave, and honk their horns. He doesn't ask for or expect anything in return. "Every time I go to the park or playground, a lot of kids come up to me, and they come around to me like sheep to a shepherd. [...] I just love seeing the smiles and joy and wonder in their eyes and faces and it brings back the memories from when I was a young little kid at their age. I love seeing those kinds of moments."
This man knows how to serve.
— cmshingle
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