Thoughts on Servanthood

Last week, the Penuel home was invaded by the dreaded "Stomach Bug". I don't think that's the technical term and I believe the phrase is a little too benign for the disease it represents. Bugs are relatively harmless and, in my opinion, diarrhea and vomiting are anything but harmless.

Anyways, I was sick first and then, just as I was standing up for the first time in 36 hours, my wife came down with it. We were both struck with the realization that Chapman might be next. My neurosis kicked in to full gear. Tired and recovering from the horrific illness, I was fearful of relapse as I repeatedly entered our bedroom where my wife was ill. I was also fearful of infecting Chapman. Despite the contagion surrounding her, there was nothing that would stop me from serving her.

As I went to work serving my family, I had this thought. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." In the same way I am busily, diligently, carefully, and lovingly serving my wife and son, Jesus is constantly busy serving me. I have a strong, uninfected, gentle, tender, diligent, faithful man watching over me at all times. I was comforted knowing that, no matter how sick I get, he will not stop entering in to my world to care for me. He has come to nurse me back to health.

Too many times I think about how I am supposed to serve God and I forget that before I could offer anything, He came to serve me. I just had to stop for a second and remind myself to be served...to receive the goodness that he has to offer.