How do we serve?
Most Christians are aware that serving is an important part of living out what we believe and we know that most of the time serving means putting someone else first, doing something for someone else. But is there something important about how we serve others?
I was struck recently when reading the story of Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian (Acts 8). As Philip encounters the Ethiopian reading, he cuts to the important part of the conversation with the question ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ This enquiry carries with it a respect for and emphasis on the Ethiopian; a desire to help him if and where he needs it rather than imposing answers where none might be anticipated. Philip might have launched in with ‘I see you’re reading Isaiah, would you like me to tell you what it means?’ or even the slightly less intrusive, ‘Do you want me to explain that to you?’ The enquiries are much the same but the emphasis is different. The hypothetical questions imply that Philip has come to save the day; whereas the words he is recorded as using ask if assistance is required or indeed wanted. While the outcome could potentially have been the same, Philip’s attitude seems to have been to serve if it could be helpful, not to barge in, in order to save the day.
What is my attitude when I seek to serve others?