The Challenge to Serve 服侍的挑战
Dexu Xia
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Matthew 20:28
Although just thirteen years old, DeAvion took up a challenge to serve others. He and his mom had heard a story about a man who called on kids to mow fifty lawns for free during their summer break. Their focus was to assist veterans, single moms, people with disabilities—or anyone who just needed help. The founder (who had mowed fifty lawns in fifty states) created the challenge to teach the importance of work ethic and giving back to the community. Despite the heat and the availability of other activities a teenager could pursue in the summer, DeAvion chose to serve others and completed the challenge.
The challenge to serve comes to believers in Jesus as well. The evening before He would die for all people, Jesus ate dinner with His friends (John 13:1–2). He was well aware of the suffering and death He would soon encounter, yet He got up from the meal, wrapped a towel around Himself, and began to wash His disciples’ feet (vv. 3–5). “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet,” He said (v. 14).
Jesus, the humble Servant and our example, cared for people: He healed the blind and sick, taught the good news of His kingdom, and gave His life for His friends. Because Christ loves you, ask Him who He wants you to serve this week.
By: Anne Cetas
What about God’s love and compassion means the most to you? How can you use your gifts and talents to serve others?
Dear God, show me how to love others with the same love You have for me
正如人子来，不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人。—马太福音20章28节
虽然迪安只有13岁，但他毅然接受了一项服务别人的挑战。他和妈妈听说有人号召孩子们在暑假期间，免费帮忙50个家庭除草。他们的主要目的是协助退伍老兵、单亲妈妈、身心障碍人士，或任何需要帮助的人。这项服务的创始人本身已在美国为2500个家庭除过草（50个州各50个家庭），他设立这项服务的目的，是要教导人们敬业乐业和回馈社区的重要性。尽管天气炎热，而且青少年在暑假还有许多可以参加的活动，但迪安却仍选择为他人服务，并且完成这项挑战。
耶稣也呼召基督徒接受服事他人的挑战。耶稣在为世人舍命的前一晚，与众门徒共进晚餐（约翰福音13章1-2节）。祂非常清楚自己即将面对的苦难和死亡，但祂仍起身离席，在腰间绑上毛巾开始为门徒服务，洗他们的脚（3-5节）。耶稣对门徒说：“我是你们的主，你们的夫子，尚且洗你们的脚，你们也当彼此洗脚。”（14节）
耶稣是谦卑的仆人，是我们的榜样。祂关怀众人，医治盲人和病患，宣扬上帝国度的福音，并为世人流血舍命。因为耶稣基督爱你，所以你可以求问祂，本周祂要你去服事哪些人。
作者： 施安妮
对你而言，上帝的慈爱与怜悯，
最重要的意义是什么？
你如何用自己的恩赐和才能去服事人？
亲爱的上帝，求祢使我明白，
我如何像祢爱我一样去爱他人