"Self Service"

“Self Service”

 

Our society has largely become one of self service. We pump our own gas, do our banking on line or at an ATM, and even check out our own purchases at retail stores. This trend can save us time and money but isn’t always the panacea we’re looking for—it seems that more often than not I have to call a store employee to straighten out a self-checkout problem! Ah, the wonders of modern (in)conveniences!

While doing things ourselves can have certain advantages there’s another type of self service which has become more and more commonplace. To illustrate: during a plane trip a man went into cardiac arrest and the crew (assisted by a physician who was on the flight) was doing CPR. In the midst of their procedure another passenger tapped a flight attendant on the shoulder and said, “My coffee is cold!” Apparently she thought her “right” to a hot beverage trumped her fellow traveler’s need for medical attention. An extreme example? Perhaps, but it does give a case in point of how some see themselves as Numero Uno.

Selfishness is an inborn human trait. As precious and cute as infants and toddlers are they are concerned only with themselves. Part of raising our children is teaching them to think of others and we’re thankful when they begin to learn this lesson. Too many, however, don’t grasp this and scenarios like the one described above can result.

Since God created us He knows all about our weaknesses, including the one about being self-serving at the expense of others. For this reason He inspired the Apostle Paul to write, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4). And he practiced what he preached (“…If what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.”—1 Corinthians 8:13). So I need to ask myself: Do I view others as there to serve me or there for me to serve?

Jesus Himself put others first by His service when He washed His disciples’ feet (John 13) and by giving His reason for coming to earth as being a servant, not to be served (Matthew 20:28). How can I do any less?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan