Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon hit her first home run ever against Central Washington. It was not only her first, but her last. It was a grand slam, and runners one and two headed around the bases. Sara running behind them, pulled a ligament in her knee and was unable to run. Her teammates could not help her, or she would have been out. Her coaches could not help her. It looked like a sad ending to a remarkable game. Not so! Two players from the opposing team picked her up and carried her to second base, third base, and then home as they gently lowered her enough for her to touch each base. Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace then humbly walked from home plate back to the pitcher’s mound, where the rest of their team stood.

Opportunities to serve are everywhere, even on a softball field. The challenge is taking advantage of the opportunities when they present themselves.

Mallory and Liz did exactly what Paul said to do in Philippians 2. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”  Later Paul says, “he emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant.” Jesus took the form of a servant, and He asks us to do the same.

Scripture gives us some common attributes of a servant. The first is that a servant is humble. Paul’s statement in Philippians 2 shows the humble attitude of putting others before ourselves. Jesus showed His disciples the ultimate humility when He washed their feet, something left for only “servants” to do.

Second, one must be prepared to be a servant. Paul told Timothy that to be a good servant of Jesus one must train for godliness because it is of value in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come (First Timothy 4:6-8).

Third, to be a good servant one must persevere. Persevere means to keep doing what you are doing, even if there is no success. Even if your service doesn’t bring about the results you might hope, keep doing what God wants you to do. Keep serving.

Fourth, is to be a servant to anyone who might need help. Paul said he had made himself a servant to everyone. His purpose was to win them to Christ, First Corinthians 9:19-23.

Fifth, we can expect to suffer. We risk getting our feelings hurt, being rejected, even being betrayed. Do as Paul told Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (Second Timothy 2:15).

Jesus told His disciples in John 13 that He had washed their feet as an example, “that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:15).

I think we can add a sixth attribute to this list. Serve even when those being served do not know you or do not know who performed a service for them. Try this. Do something for someone, and do not let them know who did it. Tell no one. Watch what happens. We can do so much for the Lord if we don’t feel the need to receive credit for what we do.

Start the New Year with a determination to serve. Others will be blessed, and you will you will be blessed also.

Sandra Oliver