by Elizabeth Haarberg

Connecting with each other through giving and receiving.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

My nine year old asked me earlier this week what I like on my salads. I gave her a list of vegetables. When I came into the kitchen, this is what I found. I didn’t ask her to do it and she didn’t ask if I wanted a salad or if I was hungry. She just chose to serve.

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Galatians 5:13

When we serve one another it can be because we see a need or we’re asked. The freedom lies with us to say yes or no. When a need arises, we discern if that task is our responsibility or if we should bring someone else in to fill the void.

A friend recently asked me about an issue she was dealing with. After listening to her for a while and asking a few questions I immediately thought of another friend who had dealt with this issue and was on the other side of the crisis.

After asking permission from the first friend, I pulled the other friend into the issue and passed the first friend off to the one who had more experience.

We aren’t always called to solve the problem or serve in a traditional way. Sometimes, through discernment, we are called to connect people to give them the privilege of serving in areas in which they are strong.

The other half of serving is receiving. Learning to let people serve us is an important, and sometimes more difficult, part of the circle.

When Chandler made the salad for me, it was her way of showing love. She enjoyed making the food and my reaction to it was very important for her satisfaction of serving.

Learning how to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet is important to love the world as He does. But receiving service is just as important. It teaches us how to receive His love.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado