I have one of the best tour managers around, Mr Chris Farnsworth. He’s the nuts and bolts of my touring operation. Chris is smart and talented, and an all around great guy to tour with. But one of the things I know he didn’t expect to be a part of his job description was the madness of having twin toddlers on the road. I’m hard enough to take care of (*wink*), but it’s a whole ‘notha level with kids on the bus. But he doesn’t complain. He carts the extra luggage around and has even taken out a poopy diaper. Haven’t gotten him to change one yet, but I’m working on it – haha! Seriously, this guy has worked with some of the biggest names in Christian music, but he’ll still call around to see if there’s a playround at the local McDonald’s.

What about you? When you’re asked to serve, what is your response? Do you say yes, even when it’s below your “pay grade” and requires you to clean up somebody else’s…poop? (for lack of a better word-teehee) Believe me, this is not something I have mastered. Especially given the nature of my job, people are doing things for me all of the time. It’s very easy to get used to someone serving me. But we are called to serve others.

Ouch. That’s a tough one. Oh sure, it’s easy to give lip service to helping the needy and being an advocate for the down-trodden. But what about serving those who are not easy to serve? What about helping someone else get ahead, even if it keeps us from advancing? What about serving in secret, even when it means getting no credit or recognition? Read how Paul puts it in Philippians 2:

“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” (The Message)

Serving can sometimes be adventurous and exciting. Often times serving can be monotonous, mundane and may even feel like what we’re doing is “beneath” us. But in the end, it’s always fulfilling, because we’re doing what we were created to do. The above video, as silly as it may be, illustrates my point. My sweet tour manager does whatever he can to make my life easier, even if it’s not in his job description. And his simple little phone call brought a dance of joy out of my daughter, Gracie. And bringing that joy to her, brought joy to him. That’s one of the many benefits of being a servant. Bringing joy to other’s is quite rewarding. It may even make someone feel like dancing. Careful, it may make you feel like dancing.

Pray this with me:
Help me, Lord. Help me to serve, expecting nothing in return. Help me to find opportunities to promote others, even if it keeps me in the shadows and puts the spotlight on someone else. Because ultimately, when I choose to live this way, it puts the spotlight on You. Remind us all that’s it’s about making YOU famous. Amen.