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Get a Diploma, Grab a Towel

Shout out to my man Zeke for using this week after graduation to serve our family. Fixing the plumbing, washing the truck, cleaning out the garage. The towel suits you.

Since the dawn of time, man’s most Frequently Asked Questions have been 1.) Who am I?  2.) Where am I going? and 3.) What should I do?  Or, if you’ve ever heard these questions asked by your mom, it may have sounded like this: 1.) Who do you think you are, mister?  2.) Just where do you think you’re going?  and 3.) What on earth are you doing?

Valid questions.  Deep questions.  Have you ever wondered how Jesus would answer these questions?

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist” (John 13:3,4).

In other words, he knew who he was, and he knew where he was going, so he served.

Friend, we can copy his answers.  You know who you are because you know Whose you are.  You are a dearly loved child of God.  You know where you’re going because Jesus went to hell and back so you could be with him – now and forever.  And you know what to do.  If Jesus lowered himself to serve, so can you.  You don’t need to scramble for worldly prestige.  There is so much to be gained through the self-forgetfulness of service.

I’ve heard the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet summed up this way: “The insecure grab titles; the secure grab towels.”  Secure in your answers and identity, you can grab a towel.

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Serve Like Rambo

“You know there’s more men out there and you know where they are. Find ’em.”

Courtesy of Tri-Star Pictures, 1985

The men and women I have the privilege of working with in area sober living homes remind me of Rambo.  In First Blood Part II,  John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is a Vietnam veteran who courageously returns to Prisoner of War camps to free other POWs. 

The residents I meet are tasting the freedom of life outside of prison walls.  They are working on how to walk on the shaky ground of newfound sobriety.  Free from the bondage of serving their drug and alcohol addictions, their big question is, “So now what?”

Take Marco, for example.  Marco doesn’t want to go back to his old way of life.  He had used and abused  people and substances.  He had damaged relationships with friends and family—some beyond repair.  But through the gospel Marco knows that’s not who he is anymore. 

Marco eventually graduated from the program and moved out of the sober living home.  But he came back—not because he had relapsed, but because he wanted to help free more prisoners.  He wanted to use the freedom he’d been given to help others break the cycle of homelessness, drug abuse, and prison.

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Galatians 5:13

What about you?  You were a slave to the accuser, your secret sins, and the appetites of your flesh.  But through Christ, that is not who you are anymore.  You have been set free.  Like Marco (and Rambo), use your freedom to free more prisoners.

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Acts of Service

Skilled tradesmen volunteer to train teens on how to frame a shed and pour concrete as part of the Build Up program through Kingdom Workers — acts of service for DAYS!

I am a horrible person for whom to buy presents.  “Gifts” is not my primary love language; “Acts of Service” is.  My husband could have saved so much money when we were dating by forgoing flowers and jewelry.  I feel cherished when he schedules the plumber, vacuums out the car, or cuts up all the veggies for a salad.

I teared up a little last Mother’s Day – not because my kids gave me a gift, but because someone had put a fresh roll of toilet paper on the holder.  To commemorate the moment, I snapped a picture.  (I will not post the picture on social media lest I arouse the jealousy of moms everywhere.)

Have you ever wondered what God’s love language is?  Maybe it’s “Words of Affirmation” because in the Bible He gives us page after page of reminders of His love for us.  Or perhaps it’s “Quality Time” because as we linger in prayer, meditate on His Word, and worship wholeheartedly, our relationship with Him is strengthened.  What about “Physical Touch”?  Is that one reason He gave us the bread and wine – His body and blood – in the Lord’s Supper?

Let’s read what the Apostle Paul has to say: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

Before I was baptized, before I made a public proclamation of my faith at Confirmation, while I was still God’s enemy, Christ died for me.  He gave His life for me.  Is there a greater act of service than that? 

Note: John, I adore the necklace you got me for my birthday last week! Please do not return it. Love, Liz