Everyday

“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”

John 13: 15, NLT

“I love this quote from Pastor Tyler Station, “Most of us are better at doing ʻprojectsʻ of love than becoming ʻpeopleʻ of love” because it succinctly captures this important concept of The Service Practice that Iʻm calling “Everyday.” Rather than translate this Practice into something big like volunteering at a local non-profit, which is a very good thing and I encourage doing so, you can start smaller by doing a simple act of service with the people who are already in your everyday life– spouse, child, co-worker, student, barista, client.

In these everyday, ordinary life moments you can intentionally serve someone with love. Slow down during your interaction with that person. Weʻre so busy that the tendency is to treat our interactions with others as transactional, meaning weʻre focused on the task more than the person.

Ordinary moments in life are a gift. If I could go back in time when I was caring for Mom and Dad I would spend those times slowing down and just talking story with Mom or listening to Dadʻs stale jokes rather than mostly focusing on taking care of their care, medications, supplies, finances, etc. Duty and honor to my parents, while a good thing, overshadowed love and relationship in the everyday moments of life.

This shift in mindset of what Service is, is important TO becoming people of love. When Jesus washed His disciples feet in John 13 saying, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you,” He was modeling serving those closest to you in the everyday moments. As people filled with the love of Jesus, what naturally overflows from within us are things like washing the dishes, cleaning the bathroom, cooking a meal, or buying someone a cup of coffee.

Service isnʻt a project. Itʻs the outgrowth of who we are in our everyday interactions with people.”

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