Sip Saturday
Week #14 Hebrews 1:14
**Sip Saturday is written by our Saturday morning contributor, - A beautifully gifted Christian author who seeks to honor the Trinity in her writing. She hopes that her words will encourage women to draw closer to God, whether that is through her fantasy series or her weekly devotionals.
Cornerstone Scripture:
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
-Hebrews 1:14 ESV
Imagine a crowded retail store during Black Friday weekend. People can barely navigate the aisles, let alone line up to purchase their precious finds. There are fourteen registers, and for once, every single one of them is open to process the endless assembly line of customers. As a cashier, you know it's your job to smile and make sure the customer is satisfied. Yet, the edges of your smile fight to stay up as you're berated by another person complaining about the wait. Would you be able to provide service where "the customer is always right"? Or might you, just a little, lose your temper?
When I was a young college student, I worked in both fast food and at a retail clothing store. I quickly learned to look for work during slow spots and how much patience it takes to deal with angry customers. Suddenly, the meaning of Jesus' words about service were tested. Could I truly be last? (Matthew 20:16). Could I truly "wash the feet" of those who angered me? (John 13). The ability to serve and love others, no matter how evil they may be, is something that is truly hard to master.
Some angels, as the author of Hebrews notes, are meant to minister and serve Christians ("those who are to inherit salvation"), ultimately glorifying God in the process. They, like us, are servants of the most High God. As such, they know that they work, not for their own pleasure, but to honor God. We are called to do the same.
Instead of working solely for an employer, we are called to glorify God through our work (Colossians 3:23-24). Even if it's hard not to snap at mean individuals, God calls us to love others (Mark 12:30-31). What's even more difficult about this command is that we are called to go above and beyond to serve.
In Matthew 5:39-41, Jesus commands that people turn the other cheek, give thieves a cloak, and walk two miles instead of one. He continues to convict people by pushing them to realize that loving one's neighbor means loving one's enemy, too. He also wasn't just someone who pointed out this truth to others—he went to the cross as the ultimate act of service.
I have a friend who is the ultimate example of service. She actually enjoys cleaning, can you believe it? Anytime you need help, she's there with a mop and a can-do-attitude. Her cheerfulness and joy is infectious, and it should be no surprise to anyone that she was promoted to management when she worked at a fast-food restaurant. She knows what it means to serve with a smile, but more than that, to honor God while working on something as nasty as a toilet.
Her example of service should inspire all of us. Instead of having a dour attitude, let us lean on the Holy Spirit to find the patience and love we need to serve others. God will help us with a more positive attitude than any of us could achieve on our own.
Let's pray.
Lord, please give us the patience and love to deal with those who are hard to serve. Help us to glorify you no matter what we do each day. In Your Son's Name, Amen.