Today, we remember and honor those who answered the call to serve this nation and sacrificed their lives in their service. Today, we may be remembering friends, family, and loved ones, who were required to serve or who chose to serve so that you and I could live in freedom.
We hear it all the time. Serve one another. While many of us will never face losing our lives through our service, have you ever considered the spirit with which you serve?
How many times have you been asked to do something, to serve in some capacity, and you find yourself regretting that you chose to serve, and complaining that you are tired of being asked? Unfortunately, many of us have had that feeling.
Many years ago in the early days of my career and of raising my family, it seemed that I was being asked to serve on every committee at work and at church. I was being asked to head every event at the kid’s school, to be the team mom for every sport they played, and to spearhead every effort for change. It was overwhelming!
On one particular day at work, a respected mentor of mine overheard me complaining about being asked. He heard me whining to another colleague asking “Why do I always have to be asked? Why isn’t anyone else being asked? Why isn’t anyone else stepping up?”
Later that day, that respected mentor asked me to come into his office for a chat. He began by saying that he had overheard me in the hall as he passed by earlier in the day. He then said something that has stuck with me to this day! What he said forever changed both how I think about being asked and how I respond to being asked. Here’s what he said….
“If you don’t want to asked to serve, STOP DOING THINGS WELL! People don’t ask those who don’t do things well!”
That statement changed everything. I realized that I was choosing how I served and that I could not simply serve in a halfhearted way even if I resented it. There was never the thought of not serving well, of not accomplishing the task, of not leading the way!
Once I realized that I was choosing how I served, I also realized that I didn’t have the right to complain!
And then, the next important lesson was learned.
I also learned that I had the right to choose not to serve if I couldn’t do it with excellence and if I couldn’t do it joyfully! I could choose to say, “No”.
From that day to this, I continue to serve in various capacities. But between being asked and accepting, I pause….I pray…and I ask for discernment as to whether or not I can serve with excellence and I can serve with joy! And then I choose.
On this day, I encourage you to examine your motives for serving. When you are asked to serve and when you choose to serve, SERVE WITH EXCELLENCE and SERVE WITH JOY!
And on this day, close your eyes and say a silent prayer for those who served and died for the cause of our freedom. Our service pales in comparison to theirs.