Meeting Plans

It's a classic question - What would you do if you won the lottery? Behind it is the question, what would you do if you were really free - free from all restrictions such as a mortgage, debts, work and so on. Let's be honest, most of us would dream of holidays or travel even if we did give a substantial amount of it away. But how many of us would decide to become a volunteer in a hostel for people with AIDS or in a school where there are lots of deprived children? I can't honestly say that those would be high on my list of things that I'd like to do.

And yet, Paul reminds us that we are free - from sin and shame and death. But that freedom is not to be used to pamper ourselves, or to get our own way. We are to use that freedom to serve others. (Galatians 5:13)

And if we are to continue to be honest, let's admit that most of us don't relish the thought of service. It sounds a bit too worthy, a bit too responsible, a bit too ‘do-goody'.

But that's what Jesus told us to do. In John 13:1-17, we read how He washed the disciples' feet. But the first verse is really telling. ‘It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.' Jesus is fully aware that He is God's son, that He is about to defeat Satan, and that He will quite literally save the world. It would perhaps be understandable if He sat back and relaxed, secure in His greatness and saving His energy for the brutality of the crucifixion that lies ahead. But no, He gets up to do the job of the lowliest servant - the task that none of the other disciples wanted to do themselves. He washed their feet, and then told them that they should do the same for each other.

Service is important because it reminds us of who we are when we're in danger of getting too big for our boots. It reminds us who other people are - just like us in need of help. It puts us in a position of weakness by doing something for others, but paradoxically that gives us great strength. And it reminds us who God is, someone who was not afraid to serve, who was not diminished by serving.

Young people can be very selfish and self-centred. They may also be quite familiar with the concept of helping others from school or charity events. But true service is more than just helping others to make us feel better. It's about putting aside our status and power and genuinely fulfilling the needs of others. It's not a thing that we do once every few months to make us feel better; it should be a way of life. After all, Jesus said, ‘Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.' John 13:14,15

Perhaps something for you to consider as a leader is how you can wash the feet of your young people - not literally because that wouldn't have much meaning in our society beyond a stunt. But how could you serve them in a way that would make an impact, and teach them how to serve just as Jesus taught his disciples?

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