The Spiritual Discipline of Service

October's Spiritual Discipline is the Outward Discipline of Service. In The Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard Foster describes the difference between self-righteous service and true service

Self-Righteous Service *comes from human effort *concerned with big acts of notable service *needs external rewards *concerned about results *chooses who to serve *influenced by moods & whims *temporary *insensitive; demands to serve *injures community

True Service *comes from relationship with God *accepts all types of service opportunities *fine with secret service; doesn't seek attention *doesn't need results to get joy from serving *serves whoever needs serving *serves because there is a need *a life-style *can serve or wait/listen in silence *builds community

Humility is closely tied to service. Service helps to tame our worldly desires and service in secret transforms us.

There is a difference between choosing when & where to serve and choosing to be a servant. The first option keeps us in charge as we choose who to service. We don't want others to take charge of us. But when we choose to be a servant, we abdicate our right to be in charge. We choose to be taken advantage of. We voluntarily choose to surrender to servant-hood. We don't have to decide who and when we'll serve.

But, if we choose to serve this way, won't we be taken advantage of? Most likely, yes. But the choosing of this possibility makes the difference.

Service should be adapted to the world and its needs. To choose to serve according to our preferences instead of the needs of the recipients nullifies service.

There is service in choosing to be actively helpful, even in the small mundane things.

Foster talks about how as a society, we crave sugar over salt. Sugar has a sweeter taste, but it is (or at least should be) used less frequently. The big, flashy acts of service may be more tempting, but they don't come along as often. Like salt, small acts of service are common and are utilized daily. Part of the issue is a great task might require one large sacrifice for a moment, but small tasks require daily, constant sacrifice.

Service involves being served. True servants allow for others to serve them as well. This is one way we acknowledge that in the kingdom, we serve others & are served by them. To refuse others' acts of service, we are giving in to pride.

Service involves common courtesy. This involves being polite as a way to acknowledge the value of each other. In doing this, we acknowledge the worth of those around us.

Service involves hospitality. Hospitality is very different from entertaining guests. With hospitality, we may have a simpler meal and a messier house, but we give more of ourselves to our guests.

Service involves listening. This seems to simple to be a true act of service, but it involves using compassion and patience. Sometimes it is harder to just listen than to clean toilets, but this is a crucial act of service.

Service involves bearing each other's burdens. This is not something that we are meant to bear alone, but we are to bear the burdens up to Christ.

Service involves speaking life and sharing the Good News with those we encounter.

Foster ends this chapter with a call to pray to God and ask Him to bring people into our lives for us to serve.