Today's Devotional
The gentleman seated across from me was in a sour mood.
It was Ash Wednesday, and I was at a luncheon at First UMC Jacksboro following a heart-warming home dedication service at which five community residents were each given the keys to a new home.
Almost two years earlier, a tornado with winds up to 150 mph had ripped through Jacksboro, damaging or destroying 300 houses and devastating this rural community. But through a partnership with UMCOR, the North Texas Conference, local and county leadership, Mennonite Disaster Service, Amish work teams and many others, the Jacksboro community was back on its feet and these five residents had, once again, a place of their own to call home. Truly, it was a day of celebration.
But the countenance of the gentleman seated across from me was anything but joyous. He shared that it was his job to report the story of the construction of these new homes, but his ability to do so had been limited.
What I learned over lunch is that the Amish work teams who had come from Missouri and Iowa to build these five homes would only allow photographs to be taken of them from behind. No faces. They also would not grant interviews, nor would they give their names. They had traveled hundreds of miles to build these homes as a witness to the goodness of God and as an act of humble, selfless, anonymous service.
Their servanthood reminded me of how Jesus took on the role of a servant and humbly, selflessly washed the disciples’ feet.
I understood the reporter’s frustration, but I found the Amish’s countercultural style of servanthood to be inspiring. Most of us would leap at the chance to see our name in print or our likeness online. The Amish work teams, on the other hand, wanted no glory for themselves. They simply hoped that their deeds would point people to Christ and give glory to God alone.
The witness of the Amish has stuck with me throughout my Lenten journey this year and inspired me to try to follow the example of Christ, empty myself, and look for ways to serve others – not for my own glory but for the glory of God alone. May it be so for all of us!
— Rev. Andy Lewis, Assistant to the Bishop, NTC
lewis@ntcumc.org
