Recently, I attended the memorial service of a Christian friend. While I have gone to many such events, this one impacted me as no other has done.

This woman's life, from the time she became a Christian, was one of service to others. The eulogies lasted an hour, while one person after another told of the impact that she had had on their life. Some stories were funny and some were sad, but they all reflected her loving, gentle spirit. The term that was mentioned to describe her more than once was "a servant's heart". She was a true follower of Christ in that she fully accepted His cross and His ministry.

1 Peter 4:10 – Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. (NIV 2011)

Luke 22:27 – For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (NIV 2011)

Christ came to earth for one purpose: to serve humankind in His life, death, and resurrection, and to bring us closer to God. His ministry was all about teaching us how to live as God would want, and finally, His death was a sacrifice to atone for all our sins for all time. Oh, what a Saviour! What better life can we live than to follow in Jesus' footsteps? Although He was a king, He humbled Himself to minister to humankind. Can we, as His followers, do less?

John 13:14-15 – Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (NIV 2011)

As Christians, we are commissioned by God to go forward, loving and serving one another as Jesus has taught us. Having done that, at the end of our earthly journey, as we come into the nearer presence of God Almighty, we will hear Him say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21 NIV 2011)

1 Corinthians 9:24 – Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (NIV 2011)

Prayer: Father God, You have chosen us as Your own. You have sent Jesus to teach us how to live and serve others, and finally, to bring us eternal life. Please help us to follow Jesus' example of service and to be lights in this dark world. Then, when our race is done, we will be in heaven with all the saints and angels, worshipping and praising You into eternity. Amen.

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About the author:

Karen Abbott <kkabbott47@gmail.com>
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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