John 11:3-5
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
The above story is one of the most iconic stories in scripture and later in John Jesus tells the disciples how he has set an example for them: that if they call themselves disciples they should follow his example by serving one another.
I think most of us get the idea of the event, that we should serve one another. However, I am learning that in my own life it is much harder to be served than to serve. I can handle going somewhere and helping someone else out, but when it comes to people helping me – well, that is much harder to embrace. Especially when it is the type of serving that is incredibly sacrificial.
For example, in the last month we have been in the process of moving. Throughout that time there have been so many people helping us in so many different ways that the word “thanks” no longer feels adequate. From packing boxes to working on the new house the amount of people who have washed our proverbial feet is almost overwhelming. The group of guys who have updated the new house have been there a pain-staking number of hours. It has been quite incredible, and they’ve put so much in to the whole process that I feel like they should just live there with us (don’t tell Karen). I am constantly blown away by their dedication.
What do you do when someone has given you something you can never repay?
What do you say to people who have sacrificed so much of their time?
How can you ever thank someone enough?
These are the questions I’ve been wrestling with in this time of our life. As I struggle through the process of being served I often turn to God and ask Him what I should do. The only answer I could come up with is what I’m learning from the scripture in John. All things are from God and all things return to God.
So, to our family, church family, and all of our incredible friends I just want you to know that we (my family and I) thank God for you. We thank God that His love is being completed through your hard work and we know that you are an example of what it means to be His disciples.
We have been truly humbled.