Making yourself available - the sequel
3rd March 2009
Hey guys, we are continuing on from last time, when we were talking about making ourselves available to serve others!
To recap:
- The first will be last and the last will be first (Matthew 20:25-28)
- Jesus came to serve and not be served
- One way which he did this was by being available to serve others
- Therefore we should make ourselves available to serve others
Interruptions suck ... or do they?
To jump straight back into where we left off, even though it sounds easy enough (yeah, I can make myself available to serve others) let's be honest, practically, it can suck! We all have limited time in our often already over-crowded days and finding time for others can sometimes be a big ask. Let me share a personal story!
I work at a place called Streetlevel Mission where we hang out and build relationships with disadvantaged people in the Inner-City of Sydney. It is often a very chaotic environment to say the least! Whilst trying to write this article one of our beloved community members walked into my office (I have an open door policy) and plopped himself down on my couch. To give you a heads up, this particular person, although wonderful, has some rather large attachment issues! He then went on to begin asking me about the 'deeper questions' of the universe.
Normally I wouldn't have any problem listening to this community member's rant, and then responding, but that particular day I had a ton of work to do and several deadlines to meet, so as nicely as possible I began hinting at the huge amount of work I had to get done. Unfortunately, he either didn't get it or chose not to get it! He continued to rant on, and to make matters worse, minutes later another person joined him on the couch. They were closely followed by another two who then decided that they would use my office as their area to eat lunch! Sigh ... Talk about major interruptions, when I had so much to do!!!
It was later on though as I reflected on my day that I realised that the interruptions are my work. Do you follow?
Being generous with yourself!
It's the distractions in our lives that are often our real opportunity to be Jesus in the lives of others! It's so easy when we get interrupted to feel annoyed, put out, or frustrated, but it's ‘the interruptions' in life where we can truly be servants. Yes it can be inconvenient, I'm not arguing against that! But a true servant will make themselves available to serve. Too often it becomes very easy to hide behind the excuse of busyness, it is safe being busy!
But being willing to stop what you're doing to serve one another, or being willing to be interrupted to love someone, well, that's a whole lot riskier and more revolutionary! Hmmm... sounds a lot like Jesus doesn't it? If you examine his life he always seemed to be on his way somewhere, but despite the constant interruptions he would stop to serve people and meet their needs.
So what can I do?
I want to encourage you to think about your life. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and write down everything you do and are involved in. Find out what actually consumes your hours, days and weeks e.g. TV, Wii, dance, school, gym, church, hanging with BFF. Once you have done this, get yourself another piece of paper and draw a line down the middle, at the top of the left box put "about me", and in the right box, "about others" (example below). Now put each of those things you're involved in into each box accordingly.
If pretty much everything you do with your time is found in the "about me" column, then can I challenge you to intentionally find space and time within your week to serve others and start filling up the "about others" column. For you busy people, it may mean you actually have to ‘make' room for others and choose to miss out on some things you enjoy doing so that you have the time to serve and bless someone other than yourself. Ask your Corps Officer, Youth Leader or Year Advisor about what opportunities there are to serve and help out others, and if none of them have any ideas then contact me or Rusty Hodges and we'd love to help you out!
If we become a generation who make themselves available to serve, we'll change the world! Again, let me leave you with quote, this one from another legendary servant, blessings guys!
"More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems.
My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organise people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.
But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them."
- Henri Nouwen
Nathan coordinates Streetlevel's Edify program, an urban mission discipleship program located in Surry Hills, Sydney. He is passionate about the lost, the last and the least, believing the best days of this generation are to come!
He is married to Karen and together they attend and serve at The Salvation Army's Macquarie Park church plant and Revolution Youth.
save. grow. serve.
save - jessica thornton
Jessica Thornton from St Marys shares her journey of coming to Christ... Read more
serve - nick horvatic
Nick Horvatic from Bundaberg shares his journey as a youth worker over the past few year... Read more
Got your own story to share? Write to us today!
Comments
Hi Nath, I know I'm late reading this, but have just started to work out this blog stuff....
Fantastic Article! When we are completey 'Task focused', its in the busyness of life that we are content or dont have enough time to grow,extend or be challenged in our servanthood. I think we've got it right at REVOLUTION - its ALL about relationships and REALLY loving each other!