Public service is making a big comeback in our culture. In 2010 more than 62 million Americans volunteered their time through an organization. Many Christians, especially those in the emerging generation, are intensely interested in social causes like human trafficking, creation care, and the global AIDS pandemic.
That's a good thing. Yet I notice a disconnect in our attitude on serving at more mundane levels. I'll use myself as an example.
The day was marred for me, however, by noticing that a used coffee cup was still sitting on the window ledge in the church foyer. It had been there for at least two weeks, and I was thoroughly frustrated. Sheesh, I thought. A couple of hundred people must have seen this and just walked on by. Why doesn't anybody pitch in around here?
Then it dawned on me that I had been walking past that same coffee cup, muttering, for over two weeks!
Everybody wants to save the world; nobody wants to take out the trash.
When Jesus taught his disciples to serve one another, he used as his example the lowly task of foot washing—something akin to cleaning the bathroom today.
"Now it's your turn," he told them. "You're no better than I am, so you have no excuse for not pitching in with the grunt work."
We are easily inspired by grand causes that promise to feed the hungry, cure diseases, and bring justice to the world, as well we should be. Yet the most revolutionary, loving, and ultimately transforming thing we can do may be to unload the dishwasher or empty the recycle bin.
Try it. And the next time someone asks what you're doing to spread the love of Jesus, tell them, "I'm babysitting for my neighbor so she can have a date with her husband."
Who knows? It just might change the world.
What small act of service could you do this week?
