I realize I am a behind the scenes kind of gal. My personality just isn't loud, bold, or attentive. I've never been the one at the center of the attention. And well I would be lying if I were to say that this is something I easily accepted long ago. To be honest, I am just now recognizing this or maybe I am just beginning to embrace this quality. It is hard to keep doing what you know is right even when the person who seems to be slacking is receiving all the praise.
Listen up though... It's okay to be the behind the scenes person because at the end of the day we are to serve the Lord. Just let me repeat that... we are to serve the Lord. He sees all that we do even when we don't get the affirmation we are seeking from man. And that affirmation me and so many others are seeking won't be given more often than not. Why? Because, the thing is people are human. At the root of all of us is this prideful ambition that really comes out in a dog eat dog world. At the end of the day everyone wants to be at the top whether they admit it or not.
So, God has been breaking down my pride left and right this summer. I'm beginning to learn, if you notice something that needs to be done like a light bulb is out well change the darn light bulb because it won't change itself. And don't just do it. Take the time so you may do it well. Oh, and do it with joy! (Please don't even for one moment think I am perfect because I am just learning this. I still want to go against this and just wait for the person who pointed out the dead light bulb to be the one to change it.)
Mmmm a wise man once said...
"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well." | Martin Luther King Jr.
In a work environment of people 20+ older than I, the daily battle I face is how do I allow myself to advance and yet still respect my elders? To be honest, I have no conclusion except Jesus is the only one who can give me the wisdom and discernment I need. After all, He is the one who placed me at my job.
I also have discovered working in a tourist town you are constantly serving people. Tourists are interesting. Nobody can prepare you for working in a tourist town. To genuinely engage in conversation or to just simply smile and say hello are acts of service as well. To not show favoritism can be a struggle of mine. Every person has a story. The wealthy are to be treated no greater than the poor. Somebody pointed out to me the other day that most people came to the beach to escape. As I have been pondering on that thought, it is very true. Any trip a person plans they are going some place new to escape reality. (We can only run for so long though, but hey that's a post for another day.)
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet," have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and becomes judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those
who love him. | James 2:1-5
who love him. | James 2:1-5
I encourage you to take the time and read the rest of this section of James in chapter two.
I. FAIL. DAILY.
I fail at attempting to not show partiality. It is difficult when I know somebody does not have enough money to buy something in our store which hey sister I don't either. How terrible of a person am I though if I treat her drastically different than somebody who I know has the money to buy a whole outfit? Thankfully Jesus is the ULTIMATE example of humbly serving. To serve and go the extra mile even when tired.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. | Mark 10:45
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| Serving may simply just be making your coworkers a latte. |
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