ARTICLE:

IT PAYS TO SERVE

''Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.'' 

                                                                                              -Mark.9:35

       Serving people isn't an act that comes naturally. Selfishness does. The mark of true leadership lies in the ability to serve and not to be served.

      When we were younger as children, we were given chores to teach us how to serve one another. Chores which included setting the table, washing the dishes, washing the car, taking out the trash and helping sweep the floor. Naturally, this led to some of our biggest battles with our parents. Chores undone, half done, poorly done. Chores done with a crummy attitude. Chores done in anger. Most of us even disappeared during a chore. In fact, the chores were a major object of discourse with our parents then!!

     Most traditional African cultures have laid down family guidelines which gives the children a sense of responsibility and imparted a sense of servant leadership. Some Nigerian tribes have it slated in their culture that younger wives married into their families must serve every member of that family in a way even a day old baby. I remember a particular occasion when my parents felt the importance of really teaching us to serve others. We were seated in chairs outside on our deck, and my mum filled a big bowl full of warm water, donned a towel and knelt down and washed our feet. One by one she washed our feet, sharing how the God of the Universe, the Savior of the world, did the same thing with His disciples. She wanted us to have a visual picture of Jesus' words from today's Scripture: "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

         Teaching servant-hood in our families seems to be a lost art today. To revive it in the home, you may want to manufacture situations in which sharing and teamwork are required: family yard projects, helping each other clean rooms, sharing responsibility for household chores, and so on.

Also, designate certain items such as games or recreational equipment for multi-person use only. Obviously, these suggestions may end up creating additional conflict, but in the meantime all of this will help break down the fortresses of me-centered, arrogant selfishness in the home. Providing incentives is also another good way of imparting in children, a sense of responsibility and diligence. It encourages them to be their best at whatever they set out to do.