A doormat for someone else

It was a few weeks ago when we had lunch after Sunday Service.  One of the brothers were sharing how he felt always cheated at work and always had to do a lot more than everyone else. At one point, I asked the brother about as Christian we should do the right thing and serve. He said, 'is that what Christian is about? A push over?'

To which I replied, 'was Jesus a push over dying on the cross?'

And I keep thinking about this.  I think about this because there's a tendency to put ourselves on a pedestal for Christ.  It could be a ministry we are part of.  And we at times will determine that our ministry is so important and vital.  

At the same time, there's also a tendency to go the other way.  To keep pressing down and say how low our position is.  Sometimes it is a prideful self trying to attract others to see, 'look what I am doing.  I am such a humble servant.  Can't you see that?' Unconsciously asking for some sympathy and respect in return.

For me, as a Christian or one who follows Jesus, we should not place the attention on us but allow others to glorify God.  But I feel this is hard in this age (not to say we shouldn't do it because it is difficult).

I raised up focusing on me.  What do I want? What do I gain? What attention do I seek?  

Even someone who say they are Christian can lead attention to themselves instead of Jesus.  

And this is a humble servant.  There are those in my life who simply serve. They are usually name-less and not recognizable.  

In today's devotion, I think about this and reflect upon the ministry that I involved before.  I think one thing I notice in the ministry I am part of, it is to train others on how to serve others.  Sure, we might have a fellowship for certain age group, say University student (I pick on this group because I was leading them before I came over to Singapore).  As often, when it comes to the idea of serving or servant-hood, it is often to serve each other in the fellowship.  And how convenient, most of them are friends (I hope!).  Perhaps a better way to teach servant-hood is to serve another fellowship or another congregation.  Maybe the elderly.  A fellowship that has more needs. 

It is much harder to die to oneself when we think about ourselves all the time.  And God often push us to serve those who we do not want to serve or care to serve.  Jonah and the Ninevites.  And sometimes, when we have an inkling to serve, it is under our condition.  I will serve after I got this job. Or I will serve only after I have the house. Or maybe I will serve only in where I live.  

I am learning this too. I am learning as the devotion says, we become a doormat for someone else.  Not for me to boost.  This morning at OMF, I was telling another missionary that my role is really supporting the missionaries.  There's no brave missionaries out in the middle of no where, living in difficulty and proclaiming the Gospel and saving lives and doing miracle after miracle.  Those times when I think I am more than that. I have to remind myself that my role is just a drop in the bucket. 

Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer—to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, “I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don’t want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me and saying, ’Well done.’ “ 

It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a “doormat” under other people’s feet. God’s purpose may be to teach you to say, “I know how to be abased . . .” (Philippians 4:12). Are you ready to be sacrificed like that? Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket—to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted—not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work while maintaining a saintly attitude, because they feel such service is beneath their dignity.