Did you notice that as soon as retailers packed away Christmas merchandise Valentine products appeared? As I note this metamorphous, my heart is prompted to consider if there is a strategy to merge the message of the two holidays together. Howard Thurman’s poem, “The Work of Christmas” offers a potential strategy by painting a word portrait of the majesty of Christmas and then reminding his readers that the real work begins as the holiday memories are stored:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
The love message of Valentine’s Day is a challenge to activate “The Work of Christmas.” Practically speaking, the only way to do so is to cultivate a heart of servanthood. Servanthood, from my perspective, is the action of making others successful. As a Christian, I am challenged to follow my Lord’s example of serving others (Mark 10:42-45).
A question then emerges, “How do I identify ways to serve others?” While the second portion of “The Work of Christmas” provides several categories for ministry, Mark 8:34-38 and 9:33-40 furnish the biblical rationale for the heart of servanthood that should propel them.
The instruction for servanthood begins in Mark 8:34 with the assumption that the individual desires to follow Christ. The most vital statement is “to come after Me,” which means to get in a position behind Him. It assumes three vital commitments that flow from a relationship with Him—deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Christ. They are acts of obedience and joyful responses to the grace extended by Christ for Christians, not a payment for it. It is the chosen lifestyle for the individual who seeks to follow Christ.
As you contemplate embracing the instructions for servanthood, consider what you would like for others to say about you when your sojourn on earth is finished . . .
If your life could be summed up in just a sentence or two, would people say you practiced servanthood?
As with Dorcas (Acts 9:36-43), would there be those who wept at your casket as they think about the ways that you served and blessed them?
Would there be those who spoke of how you showed them the kindness of Christ in practical ways?
Kelsey’s Korner offers practical advice on how to choose ministry opportunities that could yield positive responses to these questions and supports it with evidence from the life of one of my favorite biblical role models, the Wise Woman of Proverbs 31. As you consider her counsel, perhaps these questions will assist you in developing a ministry philosophy which blends “The Work of Christmas” with the Valentine’s Day message of love:
Are you truly a born-again believer? (Ro. 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 6:23, 5:8, 10:13, 10:9-11) It is possible to mentally understand the Bible, but fail to have a personal relationship with its author (1 John 2:3-6).
Are you faithful in seeking Him every day in prayer and the study of God’s Word? (1 Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6-7; 2 Tim. 5:15).
Is your primary life’s purpose to glorify God? (1 Cor. 6:19-20, 10:31; 1 Pet. 2:12).
Are you open to what God would have you to do? (Matt. 26:39; Phil. 2:12-16; 2 Timothy 4:7).
Do you refuse to limit God by telling Him what you can and cannot do? (Luke 1:34-38; Phil. 4:13).
Are you willing to maintain your relationship with your Lord rather than allowing your ministry to be your primary priority? We can become so consumed with our ministry that we do not take time to pray, study the Word, give our family their biblical place in our lives, enjoy Christian fellowship, and maintain a healthy body. (Matt. 6:33; 1 Cor. 3:16; Heb. 10:24-25).
Are you willing to take the time to acquire adequate preparation to fulfill the ministry requirements? (Moses, Paul and others took time out to be ready for their ministry).
Do you have the strength of character to say “no” when a ministry opportunity is not the best choice for your physical limitations, pre-existing commitments, or family responsibilities? (Eph. 4:15).
KELSEY’S KORNER
Have you ever been to Disneyland? According to their website, this colossal theme park in Anaheim, CA. sits on nearly 100 acres of land, has over 120 restaurants, and over 60 rides and attractions. Imagine getting to go to this park, but with only a couple of hours to spare! Frantically comparing rides and restaurants, you’d have to make some tough choices on how to spend your limited time—“doing it all” simply wouldn’t be possible.
This is often how it feels when we try to choose which ministries and serving opportunities to fill our time with. There are constantly sick people to minister to, new moms to assist, elderly adults to help, church events to plan, international students and missionaries to support, college/seminary students to feed…the list is endless. So how do we possibly choose which tasks to take on with our limited time and energy? Or should we even choose at all? Maybe it’s most godly to put all of our own needs aside to constantly meet the needs of others? Although the Bible does not give direct “though-shalt-choose-this-ministry” answers, we can learn from and apply what we see others commended for in Scripture.
The Proverbs 31 Woman is a great example to look to. She is presented as a selfless and serving woman—“she opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy” (v.20)—and likely many of the articles of clothing she created she also gave to the poor. But it’s important to note that her primary service presented in this chapter is towards her own home and family. Her husband trusts in her and knows that with her, he will have no lack of gain (v. 11). In fact, because of her help, the husband’s success is known in the city (v. 23)! Her children and household are also well taken care of (v. 27). She rises while it is yet night to provide food for her household (v. 15) and is not afraid of winter—she has seen that her family is well clothed (v. 21). Because of her constant labor over her family, her husband and children can honestly bless and praise her—they have lacked nothing. In addition to caring for her family, the Proverbs 31 Woman takes time to attend to herself. Verse 17 says she dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong (v. 17).
With the example of the Proverbs 31 Woman in mind, use these questions to help you discern which ministries and serving opportunities to take on this New Year. If you are married, ask yourself, “Will this ministry keep me from…
being the helper my husband needs?
taking proper care of my children—physically, emotionally, or spiritually?”
And whether you’re married or single, ask yourself, “Will this ministry keep me from…
looking well to the way of my household, making sure my home is prepared, orderly, and a clean place for my family and friends?
nurturing my own self, physically, emotionally, and spiritually?”
Right after Christmas I had a whole week off of work. I decided several weeks beforehand that this week needed to be a time of rest, spiritual rejuvenation, and a time to work on several projects around my home that had been put off due to other ministries. It’s incredible how many times I had to say “no” to opportunities to serve that week! I even said no to a mom needing some help taking her children to a doctor’s appointment! That was a hard one to decline, and I struggled with guilt and uncertainty afterwards—but guess what? Someone else helped her! Through that, God taught me that I don’t have to (and definitely cannot) do everything. We must carefully choose how to spend out limited time and energy—cautious to say “yes” to the more pressing matters and “no” to the rest.
Maybe you are on the edge of ministry burnout. Maybe your home is cluttered and your family a bit neglected. Resolve with me this New Year to focus on balance and priorities. Ask the Lord to make clear how He would have you spend your time and energy, and in all things, let your work be for the Lord and not simply to please man (Col. 3:23).
THE EVERYDAY HOMEMAKER’S MONTHLY MEDITATION THOUGHT
God’s Word states, “And Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’"
Mark 10:42-45
Therefore, I may boldly say, “following my Lord’s model, it is my joy to cultivate a servant’s heart and focus on making others successful.”