Freely Serve

Watching the DVD, 'Lord of the Rings: Return of the King' recently, I was struck as I watched the character of Sam. Throughout the trilogy he remains committed to his friend, Frodo, who agreed to the monumental task of saving Middle-Earth. Sam is the one who enables Frodo to struggle through undeniable horror and unimaginable obstacles in order to bring about victory. Frodo made the decision to destroy the evil ring, but Sam is the one who challenges and constantly encourages Frodo on in this desperate situation.

In my mind Sam turns out to be the real hero because of his service to Frodo and therefore to those in Middle-Earth. There are times when Frodo is in dire straits to the point of being unconscious, which makes him a heavy burden, but Sam carries his friend on his back, or literally drags Frodo to the fiery pit where the ring can be destroyed. Without the service of Sam there would have been no victory.

The point is brought home to me that we need to be serving someone in the Body of Christ and we need to let others serve us as well. There seems a constant flow in the cycle that the Lord has modelled for us; serve and be served. There’s no one so insignificant in our fellowship that he or she shouldn’t be served by others. Nor is there anyone so important that he or she shouldn’t be serving as well.

When we truly love each other (which the world cries out to see), we show the love of Jesus. He carries us on His back at times when we’re in great need. And at other times, when we’re called to lay down our lives for each other, we’re transformed for all the world to see, and victory is won, again and again.

Prayer: Father, we need Your grace to follow Jesus’ example of humility in serving, as He washed the disciples’ feet. We need Your grace to receive from others the blessings You want to give us through their serving. Warm our hearts to one another. Amen.