Refusing to have your feet washed - pt 2

In order to serve there must be a "servee."  This same principle isn't just about our relationship to Jesus.  It also translates into our relationship with others.

Yesterday I paid two hospital visits.  The first visit to Banner Estrella was to visit the spouse of a church member with whom I've built a friendship.  At first it seemed that he didn't want any visitors, so I resolved that I would simply meet with and pray with his wife.  However when I arrived he had changed his mind and I was able to visit and encourage him.

The second visit was to the hospital at Arrowhead where I visited a lady who is a long-time member of our church going in for a heart procedure. Her husband and I waited for her to come out of surgery only to be told later that the procedure hadn't even started.  We were ushered back to where she was waiting and I was able to pray for her.  In both these cases, without permission, I would not have been able to serve others.

If you are a generous person who looks for opportunities to serve then you know that to serve someone else, requires him/her to give permission first.  Permission can be difficult to give because it means being open and vulnerable in a time of need.  For those who are strong and self-sufficient and used to being the server, chances are you find it difficult (impossible?) to give this permission.  This requires that you put your pride aside and allow someone the privilege to serve you.  However, they can't serve without a willing "servee."  The apostle Paul understood this and allowed the Philippians to serve him (Phil 4.) even though he was content in his needy condition.

Imagine that a friend was inspired by a sermon or by their own study of John 13 and felt God telling them to serve you.  Would you shut them down by your pride and self sufficiency or would you let them wash your feet?  In John 13 Jesus and Peter were bonded together because Peter finally allowed Jesus to serve him.  Peter entered in and became a part of what Jesus was doing in the world by putting his pride aside.  In the same way we connect with the good purposes and love of other Christians when we allow them to serve us.  Our fellowship reaches new depths when those who are typically the givers, open up about their needs and become vulnerable for the purpose of allowing others to serve them.

When I travel to developing world countries I see how important this mutual service is.  Americans come over with money and expertise and give to people in Mexico, Africa, Haiti, etc an abundance of service and finances.  The amount of service that is received often overwhelms people in these countries.  That is why it's so important for Americans to accept invitations for dinner (or other gestures of service.)  Of course I could feed myself...in most cases I'd rather go to a restaurant or eat the food back at my base, but it's a chance for the servee to give to the server.

Did you know there are people in your church and in your sphere of influence who would love to help you if only they knew of a need you had.  If only you would open up and share and be vulnerable during a time of need, your relationship would grow and they would be fulfilled in their service (and receive a reward in heaven.)  This can be especially hard for pastors and other spiritual leaders.  It is also hard for those whose careers are built on a public perception of personal strength and "having it all together."

Our Christian witness isn't in setting a "perfect" example...it's in our mutual love and service during our times of imperfection.