Scripture: Mark 10:45
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Thought for the Day: In recent weeks, I have seen a lot of pictures on Facebook that tell the stories of church youth mission trips. A lot of my friends are ministers, and they post pictures of groups packing up or doing work or having a fun day during their mission week. These pictures warm my spirit as mission trips can be so transformative for youth, but recently something else caught my attention. In all the pictures, I saw adults who I did not know. These adults were sponsors, and most of them were not on staff at the church. Most of these people, I’m guessing, were people who took a week of vacation (precious vacation) to help these youth. We often speak of the generosity of people in regard to a financial gift, but it made me appreciate the generosity of people’s time. I even had a youth sponsor years ago who did not get vacation where he worked, and so he took a week without pay to make sure the youth had the needed sponsors. I’m drawn to Mark’s language in the above scripture where the Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom. Those who sacrifice so much for our youth are paying a ransom – they are giving up so much to help unshackle young people from a me-centered life so they may learn what it means to be a servant. That’s a great payment to make, and I am thankful for all those who have given so much!
Prayer: For all those who pay it forward, I am thankful. O Lord, you have given us the example of the servant’s life in Jesus Christ, but it so helpful to have those who show us how to do so with their lives. Amen.
