Blessed Humiliation
Servants are people who care for others. True servants actively look for ways to help others by listening, watching, and paying attention. Servants are sensitive. They can tell when someone is hurting or in need. Servants know how to help others so that the one being helped does not feel demeaned or used. Serving is done for the benefit of others, not for the benefit of one's self. Servanthood is not a one-time experience; it's a way of life-one that takes a lifetime to learn. You don't become Mother Teresa in a week. True servanthood becomes more possible the more we hang out with Jesus, read about him, think about him, and talk about him. Jesus set the example. He not only washed the disciples' feet, he gave his life for them.
By the way, servanthood is also hard. And humiliating. And awkward. And difficult. But it's also blessed when you do it. Jesus said so.
Someone Just Like You:
The small-group leader had told Daryl he would really enjoy helping at the Special Olympics this year. Daryl thought, Oh, what the heck. I've never been around mentally challenged people before. I don't think I've even talked to someone with Down's Syndrome, so it might be cool. Daryl showed up for the Special Olympics and was introduced to Ellie, a young high school girl with Down's. Daryl took a liking to her immediately and took it upon himself to be her personal servant all day. Ellie had entered three races-the 50-, 100-, and 200-yard dashes. The first two went okay. Ellie didn't win either of them, but didn't seem to mind.
As the day wore on Daryl's experience with Ellie became more difficult and tiring. Daryl found it hard to understand Ellie when she talked-and she talked all the time. She became stubborn and uncooperative, even rude. To be honest, Ellie started to irritate Daryl, but he decided he could tough it out for one more hour, until Ellie's last race ended. Ellie was very tired and very irritable when the last race was announced. She alternated between refusing to move and crying. Daryl felt helpless and frustrated. He became short with her: "Ellie! Quit being a jerk and whining. You signed up for the race and you're going to honor your commitment." Ellie reluctantly agreed and did fine until about halfway through the 200-meter race. Suddenly she stopped running. The rest of the runners stopped, grabbed her hand, and tried to get her to run with them. Ellie refused. The rest of the runners finally went on.
Daryl was fed up with Ellie now. He walked over to her on the track and, without thinking, yelled at her, "Ellie, you are really acting selfish. Stop being so uncooperative!"
Ellie looked at him as tears slipped silently down her face. "I'm sworrrry, Daryl. I…I…don't feel so gwood." As Daryl turned back to her, she suddenly lunged forward and vomited all over the front of him.
Daryl couldn't believe how disgusting and awful this experience had turned out to be. Obviously angry, Daryl helped Ellie clean up, then he cleaned himself off and left as quickly as he could. He couldn't wait to get home and take a shower. The whole drive home he was thinking, Yeah, servanthood is great. You try to help people who don't want your help, won't cooperate and then throw up all over you. Fine, I did it once. Never again.
When Daryl got out of the shower his mother was standing at the door with the portable phone. "Phone call, Daryl. Says he is the father of Ellie, whoever that is."
Oh great, Daryl thought, now I'm going to get a lecture from him. Daryl grabbed the phone, "Hello?"
"Hello, Daryl, this is Don Sykes, Ellie's dad. She wants to talk to you."
Before Daryl could react, Ellie was on the phone. She was crying softly. "Uh, Dwaryl, I want to thank you for helping me today. Nobwody ever do that for me. I'm sworry I wasn't bery nice. I didn't feel gwood." Daryl wasn't feeling well himself. "But I guess you know I wasn't fweeling gwood. I throw up on you." Then she began to cry, "I sworry, Dwaryl."
Daryl was trying to hold back the tears himself. "It's okay, Ellie. I'm sorry for getting so mad at you."
"Oh, it's okay, Dwaryl," Ellie said. "I forgwive you. Lots of people get mad at me, but you didn't get mad like they do. Would . . . would you be my fwiend?"
Daryl was now very choked up. "Yes, Ellie, I would like to be your friend."
Suddenly Ellie began to squeal and laugh and clap. "Oh, goodie. You know what Dwaryl? I ownwy throw up on my fwiends."
Read It:
John13:2 4-5 12-17
See that guy on his knees washing the grime from between your toes? That's the Son of God
Life Hint
If being a servant was fun and easy everyone would be doing it. God chose you for a reason.
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Taken from "Devotion" by Mike Yaconelli, copyright 2004, Zondervan/Youth Specialties. Used by permission.
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