February 24, 2011 - Acts 16:33

“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Acts 16:33.
Soon after the Philippian jailor gave his life to Jesus, he was washing the wounds of Paul and Silas. It seems that this act of service came out of gratitude that the jailer experienced for having been saved from certain death at the hands of his authorities. It is interesting that the first thing the jailer does after becoming a follower of Jesus is to care for Paul’s and Silas’ wounds. He immediately started serving.
When I committed to following Jesus, my first response was not to serve. It wasn’t my second or third thought, either. I was still the selfish, me-oriented person I was before making this commitment. Eventually, I started doing things that could be considered service, but I was still trying to get personal recognition. “What a great guy!” “He is such a hard worker!” “He sure has a giving heart!” These were comments that I heard that just fed my ego. Over the next several years, I went through a step-by-step change, having several “ah-ha” moments. I wish that I could say that I was transformed, like the Philippian jailer, in a moment into a grateful servant of Jesus, but that just isn’t my story. And I still struggle to serve without getting any recognition. There is part of me that still craves it. I hope that one day I can say, as Jesus said, that I am here to serve; not be served.
Questions to consider: What is your attitude toward serving? In what areas do you struggle in serving? In other words, are there some areas that you have a more difficult time serving in? What does God have you doing in service to Him?
Prayer: Father, please help me to continue to be transformed into a person who seeks to serve You with all of my heart? Help me to obey You in Your call to serve, no matter what the area. Amen.