Service Entrance!

Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything – encores to the end of time. 1 Peter 4:11 from The Message

Many times when we are out and about during our daily lives, it’s not uncommon to notice two entrances to stores, hotels, apartments, or restaurants. One entrance is the designated entrance for customers or guests while the other one is clearly marked as the service entrance. The service entrance is utilized by those who don’t avail themselves of the services of the store, hotel, restaurant, etc., but rather provide services such as deliveries, storage, or maintenance for the above places of business. Most times the areas are clearly marked with signs.

A few weeks ago Randy and I visited South Carolina. It was a longer drive than anticipated because of road work, traffic, etc., so we were ready to arrive to say the least. We had been looking forward to this get away for a while, and I was especially looking forward to driving along the entrance road to the hotel. The pictures of the property on line were so beautiful that I couldn’t wait! Unfortunately, Randy was so anxious to just “be there” that he turned onto the first road he saw which was clearly marked service entrance.

We traveled the road with trucks that were there for maintenance work, trailers and mowers clearly there for the grounds, and even a golf cart or two filled with towels, etc. for the guests. No one seemed to really notice us because, after all, we were in a truck, too. In a couple of miles, we turned onto the road that I had been anxious to see, and truthfully, that road was not nearly as beautiful as the service road we had traveled.

Sometimes I think that’s the way it is in life. We don’t realize how much fuller life can be when we devote more of it to the service part and less of it to the receiving part until we’ve been there. It’s so much more fulfilling to serve others than to be the recipient. The service that I have in mind is the kind that completely focuses on the purpose and will of another which is not for my personal benefit. God seems to use us best when we are at our weakest, facing tough times, or discouraged and shows us how to use the service entrance of life.

In the book of Malachi, the Israelites asked the question, “What is the use in serving God?” It’s a question many of us have asked particularly when times are hard and our faith is tested to the breaking point. The psalmist answers that question by saying: “Praise the Lord! All who fear and trust Him are blessed beyond expression…such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes. He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten.” Psalm 112: 1-9 (selected verses) Our attitude toward service should be the same as Jesus’.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to work a customer service hotline these days! There is so much impatience, volatility, and selfishness, and unfortunately, it’s probably directed to the innocent person who answered the phone. I’ve discovered that respecting the efforts of those people gets better results every time.

In this world of today many of us who go into a restaurant, a store, a hospital, a school, a government facility, etc. will exit with one question, “What ever happened to service?” We are upset that there aren’t enough people to properly serve or provide service to meet our needs. It’s this same kind of sentiment that Jesus must feel as He watches all of us go about our lives demanding service without ever offering it.

The funny thing the story of us using the service entrance that day is that when we arrived at the hotel, we encountered many of those people we had passed along the way. Our encounter brought us in touch with the many people it takes to serve in order to make something successful.

When life seems to be handing us only tough situations, we only need to look at life and others through the eyes and heart of Jesus so that we can gain the heart and mind of what it means to serve.

Oh Jesus I have promised, to serve Thee to the end; Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my friend. I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side; Nor wander from the pathway if Thy will be my guide. John Ernest Bode