A life of Humble Service?
A life of Humble Service?
Dr Vincent Manning
Our members, like many people around the world were touched by the death of Queen Elizabeth in September this year. For some the loss felt is very personal. The occasion is also a reminder of the love and loss we feel for our family members or partners who have died.
Queen Elizabeth framed her life as one of service. It is a paradox that despite her elevated status and vast wealth, her manner with others was one of gracious attention, personal humility and kind encouragement. Surely, Jesus, who humbled Himself for love of us (Phil. 2:8) was her model.
St Paul reminds us to put others first. He encourages all Christians to practice this orientation towards others, continually. For most of us true humility only comes with practice. Reflecting honestly upon our own attitudes and actions we notice how deceptively challenging this simple instruction to value others before ourselves can be. How often do we notice that our prejudices and judgments of others cause us to grumble and complain (Phil. 2:3-5,14). Yet our faith teaches that as we try to serve, even as we fall short, God transforms each act or word of kindness into love.
Within the CAPS family we rely upon this ethic of service transformed by the grace of God. Each person can find ways to serve others. We each have our unique gifts, time and talents to offer. Our Positive Faith peer support communities depend upon this constant practice of loving service.
Whatever our position in society, whether rich or poor, each of us is called to a life of service. Devotional practices may sustain us. Yet, our love of God is most authentically expressed in the loving service of others (James 2:26). Acts of generosity or kindness are often more evident amongst those who are poor or in need. They know from experience why it matters that we share whatever bread, or time or shelter we have.
Those of us with the apparent security of money, or status, good health or social support, can be tempted to complacency. We can forget, if we ever knew, what it means to live a precarious existence. Tempted to justify ourselves we attribute blame to those who are less fortunate. In self-congratulatory mode, an unhealthy pride grows, as we count our own achievements. Our hearts are hardened. Blind to our faults we insist that those who are poor, sick or in need, must take greater individual responsibility. By God’s grace, this complacency or false pride may be avoided when we decide to act, in some role of service to the excluded and stigmatised ones. The Christian is obliged to act in humble service of the poor. By so doing, in even the smallest of ways, we encounter Christ with-out whom there is no salvation.
Especially for those in positions of power and leadership, Jesus’ instruction to his friends (Matt. 20:26-28) challenges us: those who lead must become the servant of others. And to become the servant of all, after the manner of Jesus, requires that we orient ourselves to those who are considered the least and the last amongst us.