The news spread through our class at church. One couple’s son had passed. Bill, one of our teachers, and his wife were among the first to visit. The afternoon we arrived, Bill had returned, vacuumed the house, and polished the shoes family members would wear to the funeral the next day. He’d demonstrated ways to honor God and serve others—even in a busy season.
As he said good-bye, he noticed another need and turned to add water to a vase filled with white roses.
The grieving mom shook her head in amazement, grabbed my hands, and faced me with tear-filled eyes. “Bill vacuumed our floors and polished our shoes.”
Our Bible study class members and other friends filled the fridge and countertops with more food than the family could eat in a week. Food aromas wafted through the rooms of the house, representing love and concern for physical needs. Poinsettias from neighbors decorated the table where homemade cakes sat. Hugs and tears acknowledged our compassion.
Each gift and visit met a need.
But Bill was the only one who thought about doing the humble chores—vacuuming and polishing shoes—what I call floor-level chores. I thought about the way Jesus stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples. Afterwards, He taught them and teaches us an important lesson.
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:14-17 ESV
How did Bill find ways to serve that the rest of us hadn’t even considered?
- Maybe he was looking for ways to “love one another with brotherly affection” (Romans 12:10).
- Perhaps Bill had read Philippians 2:4 that morning and wanted to put someone else’s needs before his own. He was delighted to minister to friends in their time of need instead of rushing home to decorate his family Christmas tree or relax in his recliner with a mug of coffee.
- Maybe Bill’s love for Jesus and a spirit of humility created a desire to be more like Him.
Although Jesus was fully God, He ‘came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ Mark 10:45
As we celebrate the birth of Christ this year, how can we honor our Lord and serve others? Consider the following ideas:
- When you pray each morning, tell God you’re available to bring honor to Him and service to others. Then watch for needs that He prompts you to meet.
- Read an Advent devotion daily to help you focus on the reason we celebrate and pray to apply what you’ve read.
- Invite others to your table for fellowship and fun. Share a simple meal like bowls of chili (recipe included below) and salad, or invite someone to join you for hot chocolate and cookies.
- Include a verse of Scripture and an encouraging note on your Christmas cards to bring hope to recipients.
- Fill a Giving Jar or plate with cookies or candies. The jar I received last week included a tag which reads, “Enjoy, refill, and pass it along.”
- Ask about needs in your community and partner with neighbors, fellow church members, or friends to meet those needs.
- Ask God to lead you to “floor-level jobs.” Keep this one a secret between you and God.
Like Bill, we can consider the needs of others and love Jesus so much we seek to serve others as He did.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7
In addition to attending services, we can serve others in Jesus’ name at Christmas time.
In addition to attending services, we can serve others in Jesus’ name at Christmas time. Click To Tweet
We can delight in delaying our own plans when the Holy Spirit leads us to show God’s love in tangible ways—even floor-level ways.
Maybe a servant heart is the best gift we can give Jesus to celebrate the day He served us in the most profound way of all—when He relinquished His celestial home to lie in a lowly manger. Let’s bow before Him in praise and open our hearts to the simple floor-level needs of others—at Christmas time and beyond.
Your Turn
Please share examples of humble service to others. If every reader contributes, we’ll have a collective list to prompt our hearts to action.
Books Are Great Gifts
May I suggest my book, A Place at His Table: God’s Daily Gifts to Satisfy Your Heart, as a gift? Many people are buying copies for hostess gifts and Christmas presents. You can find it on Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Bold Vision Books, and on other bookseller sites. Fun Table Tips are included with each of 40 devotions. They include recipes, party plans, and simple table decorations.
A gift for you: Karen’s Make & Share Chili
Brown 2 pounds of ground beef with one diced onion.
(Or substitute one pound of ground turkey or ground chicken.)
Add:
1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz.) can of tomato sauce
1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans (I prefer these to kidney beans.)
½ tsp. garlic powder
¼-½ tsp. chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 tablespoons mustard
¼ cup ketchup
1-1 ½ cups water
After the chili bubbles, simmer for 15-30 minutes.
(Adjust seasonings to suit your taste or substitute a pack of chili seasoning.)
Leftover chili:
Add heated leftover chili to a bed of lettuce for taco salad or serve it on a baked potato. Add grated cheese or dollops of sour cream or guacamole.
What a wonderful example of fulfilling Christ’s command to us to serve each other that Bill gave. Jeannie, thanks for sharing these tips that show us how to get the focus off ourselves and onto others.
Barbara, I want to be more intentional about listening for God’s call to serve instead of responding quickly to my own ideas. Thanks so much for your comments.
I loved this…polishing shoes, vacuuming. That shoe polishing brought tears to my eyes. I hope I remember these floor level helps when opportunities arise.
One way to serve is childcare. Offer to take kids for a few hours or babysit at their house to free up a few hours for a parent.
Barb, I heard a testimony Sunday afternoon about how much childcare meant to a young couple. Thank you for reminding us to serve parents. Tears filled my eyes when my friend told me how Bill had polished shoes. Childcare can be a precious act of love, too.
What a beautiful example of following Jesus and being His hands in this world. Wonderful tips for staying centered during this season.
I am the Mom who laid her son in Jesus’ arms. Thank you Jeannie for such beautiful examples of how my Christian friends have showered me with such Love and compassion during this time of great loss. The “floor level” tasks performed by my dear friend Bill sincerely made footprints on my heart that I will cherish forever. Even in the midst of a storm Jesus can provide the peace and love that surpasses all understanding. Today I am thankful For the love of God and Christian friends.
Thank you, dear friend, for granting me permission to tell this story. We are praying for you and your sweet husband as we admire your faith that God will see you through with His presence and the promises in His Word. We love you.
What an amazing example to serve those in need. This is what the body of Christ in action should look like in daily life. Thanks for sharing Jeannie
I agree, Yvonne. Bill serves as a Bible teacher, but he and his wife meet needs in multiple ways as members of the body of Christ.
Jeannie, Thank you for sharing these uplifting ideas during this Holiday Season! You inspire us to be better Christians every day!
I’m grateful for your comments, Linda, and I’m so glad you liked the ideas. Once we surrender our lives to Christ, He shows us so many ways to honor Him and serve others. I often try to think of what will matter the most instead of of simply doing what I can at the time. The small acts of love, like Bill’s, touch hearts.
Hands and feet for Jesus–how can we do less when He did the ultimate for us? Thanks, Jeannie.
What a perfect summary, Peggy. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing. We all want to be Jesus hands and feet and you’ve given us some great ideas. Yes, I want to be more open to God’s ideas for me than my own ideas.
I do, too, Nancy. He gives us all gifts we can use as He leads us. Each gift and act of love matters. Thank you so much for leaving a comment.
This is my favorite of your posts so far, Jeannie. I love the “floor level” description. Such a good reminder of things we can do to serve and “be the Church” for others.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Mary Katherine. I’m learning to listen and follow God’s lead instead of trying to choose the best response when there’s a need. Sometimes it’s small tasks that mean the most. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Great ideas and scriptural application of the heart and mind of Jesus!
I appreciate your comments, Fran. I just read Luke 1 and marveled at how Mary said, “May it be to me as you have said.” I want to respond as Mary did when He calls me to serve His kingdom.
In every moment, we have the opportunity to share God’s love with others. Simple acts of kindness can bring joy and peace. 🙂
Well said, Melissa. I’m grateful God allows us to participate in His work by serving others.
It’s funny Ms. Jeannie, but somehow my heart tells me you changed Mr. Ray’s name to Bill. I can see both you, although I’ve never met Mr. Ray to my knowledge, doing those humble acts of service and extending kindness in God’s love. I think of my now rural lifestyle and how just this week I seeded a neighbor’s pasture. How often do we cut the grass for widows at church or a neighbor in need. This week, we’ve got a neighbor’s daughter at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, so her parents are out there with her (someone had to pull the trailer with the horses, etc.) and her older brother (still a teen) is home running the ranch. Not sure if he’ll take us up on it, but we extended an open invitation to come grab a hot meal with us. There’s only so much Tex-Mex takeout and DQ one person can eat. LOL Thank you for sharing your, and your group’s, Servant’s Heart with us ma’am.
My husband Ray is indeed a humble servant who helped me prepare food for our friends. However, Bill in the post is one of our Sunday Bible teachers, also a humble servant. Thank you so much, J. D. for your inclusion of so many wonderful examples of service. You’re on a ranch in a rural area, and we live in a medium-sized city. Other readers may reside in large cities or remote areas, but God allows us to honor Him and serve others from our geographic area–wherever that may be. Your comments reminded me of gentlemen in my mom’s church who cut her acres of grass after my dad died. They refused payment even for the gas and said they enjoyed the ministry of serving a fellow church member. Oh the joy of loving Jesus and meeting needs in His name. I hope your neighbor will accept your invitation for a hot meal. 🙂
Bill’s sincere and simple generosity is a wonderful example for all. I’m reminded that “small” things make a world of difference when we share our love with others. Your examples are helpful when we want to reach out to others but don’t know what to do. Thank you, Jeannie–love grows when shared and you’ve shown us compassionate ways to show we care.
Katherine, thank you for the reminders that small acts of “sincere and simple generosity” make a difference. Your expression “Love grows when shared” rings true. I observed different members of our class and neighbors of our friends who lost their son serving in a variety of ways. Each act of love and kindness ministered the love of Christ. Whether those we know suffer a loss, have physical challenges, or face loneliness, small acts of kindness in the name of Jesus blesses them–and blesses us.
What a wonderful servant, Bill was, and I like your term for that kind of humble service–floor-level chores! thanks for some great ideas to serve other this Christmas time. I pray you and your family will have a blessed Christmas!
Kathy, I sometimes miss opportunities because I try to think of the best or most helpful way to serve. I’m learning to listen to God more closely and do what I can do even if it’s a small floor-level task. Thanks for your comments. Enjoy the blessings of Christmas with your family!