When Jesus visited Mary and Martha in Luke 10, Martha chastised Jesus that he allowed her sister Mary to sit listening at his feet rather than help with the preparations for the meal. Jesus kindly rebukes her and sets her priorities straight. Martha thought Mary's way of serving was inferior to hers. She didn't realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting her guest.

Are you so busy doing things for Jesus that you're not spending any time with him? Don't let your service become self-serving.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be serving. My goal is to honour you by helping the creatures you made. Glory goes to you, not me. Keep me humble for you are the one who gave me the gifts I use to serve others. May you always be my focus. Amen.

Peter tells us that everyone has some gifts; everyone has something that they can do. It's simply a case of finding your gift, accepting the opportunity to use it and then following through prayerfully.

When I was home after the birth of one of my children, recuperating from a caesarean section, I remember answering the telephone one morning and Clare Harrison telling me not to worry about supper that day – it would be delivered later that morning. I still remember the small sturdy cardboard box, the juicy pot roast, the delicious gravy, my favourite scalloped potatoes and the mouth-watering coleslaw. Later, I asked Clare how she knew I needed help on that particular day; her phone call was such a miracle. She told me that she waited for God's promptings and He guided her in His service. Throughout my years at St. John's Church, I've marvelled at God's timing in creating these opportunities for service.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for all the Clare's I have met in my life. Help me to wait and listen for your promptings. Make me willing to carry out your work. Amen.

Jesus takes the time to heal blind Bartimaeus when he cries out for mercy. The Son of God, surrounded by endless requests and wearied by miles of walking, looked need squarely in the face and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" He saw the burden another carried and offered to help with the load. Despite his own worries about the upcoming events in Jerusalem he takes the time to help all who ask. Throughout the New Testament, he feeds people, he provides wine for a wedding, he drives evil spirits out of people, he heals lame people, he calms storms, he fills fish nets, he teaches people, and he even revives them from the dead. But his ultimate service was begun in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done", and was fulfilled less than 12 hours later on Golgotha when he uttered, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." Jesus, our Master, the ultimate servant, laid down his life for those who choose to serve him.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Thank you for all the times you have served me. Help me to be grateful and humble. Help me to model your service to others even when I'm tired, impatient or otherwise occupied. Remind me why I'm here on earth – to give glory to you. Amen.

In Genesis 24, Abraham asks his chief servant to find a wife for Isaac, not among the women of Canaan, but among Abraham's own people in north-west Mesopotamia. Eliezer takes the first step in being a faithful servant and accepts the challenge. Next he asks Abraham what will happen if no women are interested. He examines alternatives and finally promises to follow his instructions. When he arrives at the town well of Nahor, he makes a plan, submits it to God and then prays for guidance. His strategy is that when he asks a young woman for a drink and she offers to draw water for his thirsty camels too, she is the chosen woman. Before has finished praying, Eliezer sees God co-operating. Rebekah arrives, and when Eliezer asks for a drink, she offers to carry many, many water jugs to his camels. Eliezer accepts God's answer thankfully and then explains the situation to Rebekah's family. At the end of the chapter, having gained Rebekah's consent, Eliezer refuses unnecessary delay and returns with her to Canaan where Isaac is waiting.

Like Eliezer we must accept the assignment, think about it, pray to God for guidance and then start, all the time listening and watching for God's guidance. Whether it's preparing coffee Sunday, "cleaning toilets for Jesus" as a friend of mine calls it, shovelling snow, or delivering Meals on Wheels, there are countless possibilities out there. It's up to you to decide which challenge you will accept, remembering that the chief purpose of men and women is to glorify God. What better way than to walk in His son's footsteps and carry on His mission of service.

Prayer: Dear Lord, our master, help us to be like Abraham's servant, continually trying to do Your will, asking for guidance through prayer and then patiently waiting for Your answer. Create in me an eager heart to accompany my ready hands. Amen.

These words were spoken by the Son of God on a day when his disciples needed a proper perspective on servanthood. James and John ask Jesus if they might sit on either side of him in heaven, one at his right side, the other at his left. The other disciples are justifiably indignant at this request until Jesus points out that these places belong to those for whom they have been prepared, and that while the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over those under them, such behaviour is not befitting one who follows Christ. "Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." Jesus challenged society's norms almost 2000 years ago, and still does today. It's no surprise to me that when I need help, it's fellow Christians who are the first to offer their time, their skills, their knowledge. To Jesus, greatness comes from serving — giving of oneself to help God and others. Service keeps us aware of others' needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus came as a servant.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, Help me to serve as you did, tirelessly and unselfishly. Keep me humble in Your service that I might reflect your glory and not my own. Remind me that co-operation and collaboration are far more important than self-promotion. You have placed me in this job for a reason, and it may not be that I receive the next promotion, if ever. Guide me to do the best I can for you wherever and whenever I serve. Amen.