I am thankful I serve missionaries who selflessly serve others, sometimes even putting themselves in danger. Yet, despite the uncomfortable situations they may be experiencing, they never stop loving and serving others. And they are often giving sacrificially. They are following the way of their Master, Jesus, who came to earth to serve and not to be served.
You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:13-16
This concept goes contrary to the culture in which people want to be served. However, as followers of Christ, we are chosen to be different than the world, knowing we are in the world, but not of it. We are in a kingdom in which Jesus reigns supreme. And in this kingdom, Jesus calls us to sacrifice ourselves and even suffer for others.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. John 15: 12-13
I look at the life of Pastor Olman Sánchez who walks several hours throughout the Chirripó Mountains in Costa Rica to go from one village to another to share the Gospel, and bring much needed food, medicine, and other essential items to the impoverished indigenous villagers. He often faces harsh weather, rough terrain, deadly snakes, and shaman sorcerers who do not want him in the mountains as his presence hinders their ability to do their rituals. However, Pastor Olman loves the people in the mountains and recognizes the difficult conditions in which they live. He even studied a little about medicine so that he can better help these people who live a long way from the nearest hospital. It is not uncommon for Pastor Olman to come back from the mountains sick because he has expended himself serving those in need.
The Montaya family who serve in Bolivia is also an inspiration and the epitome of servants of the Lord. They left loved ones behind to go to a place that they did not know to help widows and orphans. However, they now also assist those who are lonely and lost. They are always ready to give a helping hand to whoever needs it. Even when they are tired, they are always giving more of themselves and making sacrifices for others. They are truly practicing what James calls pure religion.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27
Unfortunately, too many of us are stained by the world, even in the Church. We employ worldly methods instead of seeking God for His strategies. We often want God to serve our needs, while not thinking of what He wants as He tells us to prefer others and put their needs before ours. But we do not like this command. We would rather take care of ourselves and forget about others, and we sometimes make ourselves and our families idols.
Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Romans 12:9-11
I have seen where missionaries leave the comfort of their homes and bring their young children to remote areas where there is war to serve the people in need in these places. Many go into countries that are closed to the Gospel and therefore they put their lives at risk, because they love God and love others, and they want others to know that Jesus has come to save them. They selflessly serve. The fact is that followers of Christs are all called to serve. But how many of us are willing to do this?
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