Sunday, December 21, 2008

And there will be no curse there anymore, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it. And his Servants Will Serve Him. Rev. 22:3.

Why will God's people willingly serve Him for an eternity? Because, so to speak, He first served them. Their service will arise out of the delight and joy they have found in the marvelous sacrifice of the Lamb.

Socially isolate dindividuals often complain that they have received "the short end of the stick." They feel that the people in their lives have done bad things to them. We tend to remember most either the very good things that happen to us (the long end of the stick) or the very bad things (the short end of the stick). The beauty of service is that it extends to other people "the long end of the stick." Service, therefore, has a powerful impact on the lives of others.

Jim Park was reminded of the great power of service when he showed up at the Mainla International Airport to take a flight to Guam. He had checked his baggage in and decided to visit the bathroom (they call it the "CR" or "comfort room" in the Philippines). As he entered, one of the attendants (there to assist people as if it were the bathroom of a high-class hotel) greeted him.

When they glanced at each other, each felt as if they had seen the other before. All of a sudden the attendant blurted out that he had met Jim two months earlier of a return trip from Bangkok. He had remembered that Jim was a missionary who had given him a nice tip as a reward for assistance.

Now, attendants see literallay thousands of people every month. To remember one particular person in detail after a period of two months is an amazing thing. Quite astounded for a moment, Jim then remembered that after getting off the previous flight he had also visited the CR. The attendant had been kind enough to help Jim with some carry-on bags even though Jim had told him that he did not have any money to give him. Jim thanked him as he left and said he would be back to give him something after he got his checked luggage.

Several minutes later he returned and handed the attendant the 100 pesos (about $2) he had in his possession at the time. Apparently Jim's faithfulness to his word and the generous tip were so memorable that he still remembered the missionary a couple months later. Needless to say, on this return visit the attendant  once again gave enthusiastic service. But this time he passed the tip on to a friend working with him. That meant three people were very happy.

Lord, today I will meet many people. Help me to prepare for the service of eternity by giving each one the "long end of the stick."

There is nothing gloomy in the religion of Jesus. If Christians give the impression by a mournful attitude that they have been disappointed in their Lord, they misrepresent His character and put arguments into the mouth of His enemies. Though in words they may claim God as their Father, yet in gloom and sorrow they present to the world the aspect of orphans(TFMB 88).