How May I Serve You?

What time would work best for you? How would you like it? What can I help you with? When do you want to meet? What do you think? Ahhh…the individualized catering of the American society. What do you want on your burger? What kind of toppings do you want on your ice cream? What should your Facebook page look like? Anything goes when it comes to serving the client all to make a few bucks.

I remember going into the dentist’s office several years ago and having a personal screen and headset placed in front of me while my teeth were being cleaned-all for my own comfort during a routine cleaning. The thought was much appreciated, but to me it seemed odd, out of place. Today the same scenario is deemed normal and my opinion would come across as deviant.

When did our society switch gears from standardized operations of service to an individualized plan of care creating a self-centered focused society? Take a look around at any billboard, advertisement, or even the ads placed alongside your browser. Who or what is the central focus-The customer. It’s all about catering to “you” the individual making you feel good, feel wanted, and feel important.

The overall concept of individualism deceptively appears to be good, yet is it really? How shallow have we become? How short do we turn when our demands our not met instantaneously? Have our expectations changed? Do we always expect to get what we want when we want it? Has America created a society of self-centered, egotistical, selfish brats? Maybe we’re not quite there yet, but we are close.

As a high school teacher, I see the subtle change instructing students who have always been famous in the eyes of their peers through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and any other social media outlet. Have we reached a generational point of no return? Is God’s definition of service being redefined by man: “Serve the self first and then maybe those in need?” If so, watch out for the crack in our foundation to continue growing.

Christ alone came to serve not to be served and he gave his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45) He helped those whom no one would touch or even go near. He healed the blind, the lame, the prostitute, the tax collector, the broken, the lonely, and the destitute.

When serving others, there is an unspeakable joy that fills in the empty gaps inside your heart. When you are served, a temporary spark extinguishes into an emptiness that can only be filled by the one who came to serve.

I believe if you were to survey those whose needs are being catered to they would all hold a common thread; loneliness.

America appears to be on the downward spiral modifying the definitive question of what it means to serve?  I believe it’s clear as to which side of the scale most American’s seem to lean towards. Where do you stand? Serving self or serving God?