-Bernard of Clairvaux
This post is going to be a bit different from the others. It's a mixture of photos from missions and quotes from the book. I've started with the first two paragraphs from Foster's chapter because I feel that it perfectly encapsulates the spirit of service.
"As the sign of the cross is submission, so the towel is the sign of service. When Jesus gathered his disciples of the Last Supper they were having trouble deciding who was the greatest. This was no new issue for them. 'And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest' (Luke 9:46). Whenever there is trouble over who is the greatest, there is trouble over who is the least. That is the crux of the matter for us, isn't it? Most of us know we will never be the greatest; just don't let us be the least.
Gathered at the Passover feast, the disciples were keenly aware that someone needed to wash the others' feet. The problem was that the only people who washed feet were the least. So there they sat, feet caked with dirt. It was such a sore point that they were not even going to talk about it. No one wanted to be considered the least. Then Jesus took the towel and redefined greatness." (pg.126)
"True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside. We serve out of whispered promptings, divine urgings."
"True service can withhold the service as freely as preform it. It can
listen with tenderness and patience before acting. It can serve by
waiting in silence."
"True service rests contented in hiddenness. It does not fear the
lights and blare of attention, but it does not seek them either. Since
it is living out of a new Center of reference, the divine nod of
approval is completely sufficient."
"True service builds community. It quietly and unpretentiously goes about caring for the needs of others. It draws, binds, heals, builds."
*Photos are from our BRO Ø7 outreach