Thinking this morning about how so much dissatisfaction comes from being served. Yep, that’s what I said…
Sure it feels nice in the moment, and we believe we are special when it happens, but it doesn’t bring lasting fulfilment.
Serving on the other hand, brings amazing joy and contentment. I was thinking and talking to the children about how much fulfilment came from all the hard work of preparing the high tea:
From acting butler to setting up tables, digging trenches to driving people’s cars – it was very, very rewarding for myself and the children. To be part of working towards the benefit or blessing of someone else was far better than just sitting at a table being served…
It reminded me of a rather disgusting position in Henry VIII’s palace, that everybody wanted.
A friend (hey Dave!!) told me about this position in the palace of the king. He said the person was called the “Chancellor of the Throne*” – which evokes images of grandeur and importance. And indeed this person was important and the title sort after, but not for it’s glamour…
The job? To clean the kings bottom and the toilet (or throne / stool*)!
Not the nicest thought! And can you imagine the ‘toilet’ in those days (appropriately called a stool)? We use a composting toilet and I can tell you – when the fan stops (due to a problem) – even for a few minutes, the smell is BAD. It takes your breathe away and stings your eyes. And our toilet is porcelain. The ‘throne’ would have been quite different…Heres one that is around 1600:
Can you imagine the level of cleanliness you would be expected to achieve for the king?
Yet this position of intimate service was sought after, a cherished position of trust and intimate service.
What could be looked at as the lowest of the lowest positions, was actually regarded as one of the highest and a great honour. It was also rewarded very well, with the kings clothes and rewards, but more importantly the most cherished secrets and thoughts of the king.
Another king, many years before further illustrated this point…. He was the richest the world had known, yet found no lasting fulfilment in money or being served. In fact he started to do work – actual physical labour – and found the work rewarding, not the being served!
As the king he, he went out and got a job!!
Serving others however, can bring lasting fulfilment and joy, whether in the act itself or the reward that comes later.
Thinking back to the high tea, the actual digging of the trench, concreting etc at times was not fun or rewarding in & of itself, but later, seeing the end product and the pleasure it brought others, was intense.
The One who demonstrated this the most clearly was Jesus. As the King of Kings – the very Son of God – He emptied Himself and came to earth…not to be served, but to serve others.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many
Matthew 20:28 (NLT)
He went through agonising rejection and death – separation from His Father – not because it felt nice, but because a reward would come later.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)
There was a process He had to go through – endure – which was not nice. Imagine being the One who created everything, held it all together, had power over it all and yet gave it all up. No being served by angels, but being spat on by men. Being beaten, wrongly accused, rejected, whipped and then tortured to death.
His sacrifice, His service, was all so that you could receive grace. Forgiveness of the sin that you were born into and have committed. Sin that condemns you and leaves you under God’s wrath – deserving of hell, has been paid for.
Thankfully Jesus served.
We should too – the results are love and the glory goes to God!
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen
1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)
Conclusion: Serving gives love & leads to a reward, Selfishness leaves the reward of love in the lap of another.
PRAYER: Lord, please help us receive the love and sacrifice you offered by serving. And may we have the same attitude. May we see the results of our service and desire to give not get for the Glory of Your Name.
NOTES: I
* The title “Chief gentleman of the chamber” and “Groom of the Stool” were assigned by Henry VIII so not sure about the title ‘Chancellor of the Throne” that this friend mentioned.