Service Means to Serve

I had the wonderful chance to help out a Small Group that is in my Church tonight.

Our church has been implementing and pushing for small groups for some time. To have groups of people that met outside the Church at their homes, with one another, forming relationships and helping one another is no little thing. It's everything. In Acts, we learn that the disciples and followers of Jesus met daily, and broke bread together. In modern words, it means they got together and ate. Food. Good food. Which is what I got to be a part of tonight.

      

See, there was a challenge issued to the small groups of our church, to see how they could serve the community and the world around us. A challenge of service. This particular group hosted a very well thought out and VERY delicious dinner to support Samaritans Purse, an organization that gets livestock to families in countries that need them. Goats, and chickens and such, among many other things. All of those things that you and I take for granted, are things that people in other countries are hoping and praying for. I think it fitting that this challenge was issued around Christmas time, when so many of us focus on ourselves and what we want, instead of those around us and in the world that have so little...

The wonderful people who made it all possible. 

The dinner was hosted a beautiful house, there was soup, and appetizers (with BACON!), a delicious soup, salad, steak, and cheesecake that every person should indulge in. The guests were people from our Church body, who were there to fellowship with one another, to go out on dates with their spouses (I adore that I go to a church where woman are treasured, wined and dined, and taken care of like the real ladies that they are!), and eat some pretty spectacular food. They were served, in this gorgeous home, filled with light and laughter, they were served. Taken care of.

I imagine that the Lord smiled on this group of people, running around the kitchen, putting food onto plates, filling cups with wine and water. I imagine that He would have enjoyed seeing a group of people who got it. Who saw that in serving others, working to put a smile on others faces, we see Jesus' character.

And what was my role in all this? Well, you might have gotten this by now, but I was the photographer of course! I captured people working, and the couple going on their 24th wedding anniversary  The mothers and fathers there who left the kids at home and spent time with one another. I took photos of food being put on platters, laughter and smile, a woman playing live music for their guests to enjoy. In this service to others, I realized that I have done the Lord a disservice. I used to think, How can I be involved in anything, I have nothing to offer...but this is a lie, and I see that now. Because what do I love to do? Be behind the camera, take pictures of others, for them. This is my service to others. Because service means that you are serving someone other than yourself. And what better way for me to do this than to capture the moments that I see around me?

I am finding out that the more you serve someone else, the more you make out the Character of God.

And really, who can argue with that? :)

The place setting at the tables. 

The yummy salad prepared. 

The best part, DESSERT!