What Raspberries Taught Me of Servanthood
I’ve been raspberry picking this week. We have lots of wild raspberry bushes just behind our garage. Raspberries are so delicious, aren’ they? They’ve taught me something too. If you look at a raspberry bush, it doesn’t look anything special, does it? But if you humble yourself and kneel down, you find treasures you did not expect from just looking at the bush. See yourself!This made me think that this is how we should live our lives too: humbly and serving others. When we humble ourselves, we are blessed beyond measure. We might think servanthood is the last thing we want. Yet, when we humble ourselves, it becomes the best thing that has ever happened to us.
This made me think of two Bible passages:
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)
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
(1 Peter 5b-6, NIV)
The way of the world is not the way of Life. If we stay proud and selfish, we will miss both beauty and blessings. God does not want bad things to us, he wants to bless us. He guides us towards green pastures. Are we too proud to take his advice? Are we too lazy to become a servant?
Servanthood is not a punishment.
Servanthood is God’s favor to the humble.
Servanthood is the way to enjoy abundant life.
Gracious God,
Thank you for raspberries.
Thank you for teaching us and guiding us.
Thank you for showing us how to live and serve.
Thank you for leading us towards green pastures.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: What have you learned of servanthood?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you follow Christ humbly and serve him gladly!
Photo courtesy of Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up with Unite the Bloggersphere and#tellhisstory.
2 thoughts on “What Raspberries Taught Me of Servanthood”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Amen. Thanks, Laurie. Stay blessed!