Accepting An Undesirable Invitation

 

“Even if what you are doing today isn’t visible, it’s still valuable.”

Holly Gerth

From my writing desk in our little guest room I look out the window to the tangerine tree. We are blessed to have beautiful, ripening tangerines grow in our yard. There aren’t too many this year but it’s always a sweet treat. The day is gray and chilly and I am struggling not to be distracted by frustration about something that seems unfair. If I look at the big picture – God’s eternal plan – then the energy put into fuming over the interruption is not worth a second of my time. Yet here I sit, scrunched brows, fighting to let it go.

This requires facing the elements. I head outside for a walk in the blustery weather. I need to release the tightness in my body and talk to Jesus. As I pour out my frustrations and ask Him to help me to see the situation in a better light I am reminded of foot washing. Yep, cleaning stinky feet. The task that felt unfairly placed on me is an opportunity for “washing feet”. These undesirable invitations for serving aren’t always delightful nor do they always come at an ideal time but the job needs done.

Timothy Keller preached these words, “Washing feet has to do with showing a concern for peoples’ comforts and concern for peoples’ needs.” This past year I have prayed for God to help me consent to whatever He brings, not just resign myself but actually trust Him with what is best and take it on willingly. In this situation it means I have to let the one other person who could have done this off the hook with a big dollop of grace.

The kinds of tasks equal to washing feet aren’t hard. They are usually easy and ordinary. It’s just that sometimes, or maybe often, I don’t like to be inconvenienced. I don’t want to give up doing what I want, to do what God invites me to do. But it’s an invitation. Invitations are usually a sign that something purposeful and meaningful will happen. I may not see fireworks or make a toast in acceptance of this invitation but it’s a blessing to serve. It is an opportunity to glorify God because these are simple acts that reflect Christ in us.

Ordinary (adj) lacking special distinction, rank, or status: commonly encountered

One day last week I was meditating on Jesus. Pictures floated through my mind as I thought of various stories of Jesus’s ministry. Later I wrote about what I recognized; Jesus did lots of ordinary tasks during these years. He cooked, He made arrangements, He fed people, He washed feet, and He held children in His arms and blessed them. As He moved from town to town sharing the kingdom of God He was stopped numerous times by someone calling out to Him, touching His robe, dropping in front of Him to pour out a need, and He was intercepted by a funeral. All these “interruptions” mattered to Him. This is Kingdom work.

Jesus notices. He sees. He stops for conversation. He looks directly into eyes. He touches. He eats and tells stories around the table. Why are these simple, loving acts so hard for us to consider worth our time? So often acts of service go unnoticed. I don’t know about you but I enjoy being appreciated for what I do. The desire howls within me insisting I take the most important job. Over time I have discovered when I do the necessary ordinary not only do I bless someone but I am transformed in the process; my love for others grows and life becomes more meaningful. It’s within these tender acts connection is formed.

In recognizing I was invited to “wash feet” it occurred to me the many ways Jesus provided a “foot washing” for me. I remember Jesus washing the disciples feet, a necessary tasks no one else was willing to do. Jesus even washed the feet of one who betrayed Him. I am not above “foot washing” tasks. I am not too good for them. More and more I want to embrace these interruptions as meaningful acts of service. I am undone when I picture Jesus kneeling before His disciples’ dirty feet, before my dirty feet, and lovingly washing them. How can I do less?

I have been in and out since beginning this post and what came of the walk that blustery day was a willingness to serve a need that first felt like an interruption. The experience left stretch marks as my attitude, with the Spirit’s help, was transformed. Not only did I consent but my awareness of the Spirit’s prompting was sharpened. It isn’t my doing. Yet the daily discipline of being with Jesus, reading the Word and prayer are the disciplines opening me to His work. Without these I would quickly become dull and numb to all around me. He has invited me to pay attention and spiritual disciplines tune my heart to His so I am moved to joyfully receive those invitations.

Some may ask, “How do you know when the invitation is from God?” I seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to know if it is God’s invitation and not someone else playing god in my life. If someone is putting pressure on me and manipulating me it is not from God. God does not guilt us into serving; He invites. There are opportunities that arise which are genuine needs in someone’s life and I am the only one aware and available to help. I know these are of God.

What interruptions have become invitations for “washing feet”, opportunities to tend to the needs of those around you? I would love to hear how God is shifting your thoughts on the value of ordinary tasks. Every invitation accepted to serve willingly glorifies God and draws others into His eternal kingdom. Oh how I long to be more willing.