Ordinary Day. Remarkable God.
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Jake The Servant
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. Philippians 2: 3-4. NIV
Living in a small town has always had its perks. Last week my husband, Dean, was headed out of town for most of the week. Our daughter had been home from college for the weekend when we found out she had two bad tires. We sent her back to college in our vehicle and made plans to get the tires replaced.
After getting to his destination, my husband decided to call our tire man, Jake. He’s right across the street from our local gas station. We’ve routinely called him when we needed tires. He has always just come to the house, picked up the vehicle, put the tires on it, and returned the vehicle to our driveway.
“Hey Jake, this is Dean. I need a favor.”
“Sure, he replied. What’s up?”
“Well, you know that gold car of Brianna’s? It needs two new front tires. The keys are in the cupholder. I’m out of town. If you could swing by, grab it and put tires on it, I’ll pay you when I get home.”
Slight pause...
“Ok, no problem. I got it.”
Problem solved. My husband went on about his week, not giving it another thought. Wednesday Dean received a text from Jake, “got her done.”
Dean returned home late Thursday night and Friday had the opportunity to go by the tire shop.
As he headed into the tire shop he pulled out his checkbook.
“How much do I owe you for the tires?“
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jake replied.
“Don’t you remember I called you on Monday?”
“Sorry Dean, I haven’t talked to you all week.”
Something you should know at this point. My husband has three different Jakes in his phone contacts, all labeled “Jake.”
We attend church with one of them.
My husband at this point is perplexed and quickly calls me, inquiring as to who in the world did he talk to?
“Hmmm,” I pondered for a minute and then replied, “Jake...you know, from our church.”
Confused and baffled, he picks up the phone and calls Jake....from our church.
“Hey, I’m confused. Did I talk to you this week?”
“Sure did.”
Incredulous at this point, he began to quiz Jake.
“I meant to call Jake Stewart. You did realize I had the wrong Jake? Right?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t see any reason I couldn’t do this favor for you, so I did.”
My husband’s jaw hit the floor.
As my husband shared the story with his co-workers, their curiosity was piqued. They wanted to know more. Why would someone do something like this? What would make a person go above and beyond like this?
The co-workers said that if someone had called them, that sure would not have been the response they would’ve given.
Many of his co-workers aren’t Christians. Some of their views of Christianity aren’t favorable.
They were touched.
I began to think again about a servant’s heart. Several devotions lately had mentioned the mindset and heart of a servant.
What does it look like?
Is it self-sacrificing?
Is it boastful or proud?
Matthew Chapter 5 says:
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Matthew 5:41-42 NIV
And again from Philippians 2:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. (Here’s the key. Don’t miss it) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:3-8 NIV
If we all had the mindset of Christ, mentioned in this scripture, how much different would the world view Christianity? If we all did things without selfish ambition or vain conceit, wouldn’t the world want to know more about Him?
To take it one step further, my husband and I decided to make supper for this Good Samaritan, and when we went to deliver we found out he hadn’t even told his wife.
That’s integrity.
That’s authenticity.
I want a servant’s heart.
I want an authentic heart.
Jake, you humble us. Thanks for leading by example.
Thank you, Lord for people like Jake.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.” James 1:22 NLT
Help me to be a doer of your Word. Amen.
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About the Book
This is not a typical devotional book. There is no ten-step program inside to better yourself. It is not a deep theological study. It is not an end to all trials or an answer to all problems.
This book is a collection of stories, prayers, and reflections. They are honest, vulnerable, sometimes dramatic, sometimes humorous, and sometimes sad, but they are real. They point to Him. No matter what adventures we travel through, our Maker and Creator is always with us. He isn’t looking for extraordinary people. He is not looking for the exceptional and the elite. He is the exceptional and the elite. He is just wanting us to walk alongside Him.
About the Author
Rhonda lives in the small town of Erie, KS with her husband of 20 years. They have eight children together, with the 17th grandchild on the way, a blended family of his, hers, and the grace of someone else. Rhonda’s love of writing began with prayer journals, writing her husband’s communion meditations, and posting short stories on social media. She found the most joy in writing about what God has taught her through the figurative mountains and valleys of her life.
Through times of wandering, raising children, enjoying grandchildren, working as a nurse for 37 years, helping care for a mother with Alzheimer’s, leading a high school youth group for eleven years, and founding and managing a free store, God has presented stories and moments of learning. These moments could have only been orchestrated by a remarkable God. She continues to look and listen for His presence in the events of her day and longs to help others understand.