Subscription Lists

Single Minded

by Michelle Brinson

Outside Yourself

Date Posted: October 20, 2004

Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Luke 22:25-27 NIV

As much as I hate to admit it, for the most part, I live in my own little world. Most everything I do relates to my needs or the needs of those closest to me. It's easy to get caught up in living life like this… serving myself. But that's not what God calls us to do.

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:26-28 NIV

But what does it mean to serve someone else and to be a servant? And why does God want us to do this?

Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Ephesians 6:6-8 NIV

This past weekend, my church had a Service Day for our community. We had teams all over our city working with a number of different organizations doing a variety of projects. The group I worked with joined with a community-based AIDS service organization whose mission it is to promote and participate in a comprehensive and compassionate response to HIV and AIDS infection through education, advocacy, and supportive services. We took on the task of cleaning 2 of the participant's apartments where they were unable to do so.

It is an experience I'm sure many of us will not soon forget. From the outside, this building looked like most other apartment buildings. In fact, each apartment opens to an outdoor balcony and many have a wonderful view of our city's skyline. But that's where the beauty ended. Once inside each apartment, the first thing I noticed was how dark, depressing and heavy each place felt. Both places were very small, disorganized, cramped, and very dirty. It was in stark contrast to the view on the other side.

I've been on a couple of mission trips to Africa and met many people on those trips who are sick and dying of AIDS, but it's different when it's right in your own community. It's hard to explain… I've been searching for the right words for the past 2 days and all I can come up with is that when it's far away from you physically; it's easier to put it away emotionally too. I know I will never be able to drive past the apartment complex we worked at again and not think about those two people. I can't put distance between it and me… because it's right here, in my own community. It's not off in Africa someplace where I can go and serve and then turn around and come home. Instead, it's right here… where I can't ignore it.

And I shouldn't ignore it. I have stepped outside myself and into someone else's life… a life that is filled with pain, fear, possibly regret, sadness, loneliness. I wish I could say I saw signs of hope, of love, of compassion, but I didn't.

As we cleaned, we chatted with one another but most of the time I think each of us was lost in our own thoughts. I used the time to pray. I asked God to reveal Himself to the person who lived there. I prayed for God's mercy on these two precious individuals I knew God loved as much as He loved me. I thanked God for the ability to serve. I thanked Him for all the blessings He had bestowed upon me. It was a humbling experience for me… one I am very grateful to have experienced.

While my team brought supplies to clean, I pray we left behind something more than just clean apartments. I pray we showed love, kindness, generosity and compassion and in doing so, left behind a little hope.

But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.
Psalms 9:18 NIV

Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Psalms 119: 49-40 NIV

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3: 25-26 NIV

Was this article helpful?
Rate it:

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Biggest Mistake

Read Article »

Biography Information:

Michelle Sanders Brinson makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Andrey, their son Jadon and their dog Rudy.

Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.

Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.

'Single Minded' Copyright 2006-2024 © Michelle Brinson 'Single Minded' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with their complete bio and a link to https://www.liveasif.org/subscription-lists/single-minded.html 2) 'Single Minded' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.

Got Something to Share?

LiveAsIf.org is always looking for new writers. Whether it is a daily devotional or a weekly article, if you desire to encourage others to know Him better, then signup to become a contributor.

Click here to learn more!