Deep Thoughts about Service

I'm taking a break from taking a break. How's that for wishy-washy?

I'm writing in today because I want to share some deep thoughts I've been having about service. I think it's pretty typical for us to like to give service but we don't like to be the recipient of it. Why is that, I've wondered? Today I think I got some insight into that.

When we think of giving service to others, who do we usually think of serving? The first people who come to mind are the sick, the unemployed, the widows -- anyone we know is having a hard time. In essence, those who are worse off than we are.

When we give them service, it makes us feel good because we feel that we're in a position to help them. We feel glad that we're better off than they are.

(This is all subconscious, by the way -- I don't think we do it to be stinkers.)

So, when someone wants to give us service, we (subconsciously) feel that now we're the weak ones and that others must view us that way, and that's why we shy away from receiving service.

This is, of course, faulty thinking. People don't give service because they want to show that they are better than those around them. They give service because they genuinely care. I do speak of the vast majority -- you will occasionally find those that serve because of the praise it gets them, but those people are the exception and not the norm.

One of the trademarks of the truly Christ-like is that they want to serve. The closer you become to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, the more inclined you are to want to serve, and the less you think of yourself. I rather think that this faulty perception, that we only serve those weaker than us so if we're being served, that means we're weak, distracts us from the true purpose of service, which is to show Christ's love to everyone as it has been shown to us.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on my ramblings. What do you think?