This past Sunday, I preached on my most favorite subject: serving! (You can watch it HERE!) With so many perspectives and angles to communicate this life-altering way of living, I landed on our greatest example of Jesus Christ Himself.

He became our WHY, our mission.

He showed us the HOW, our strategy.

And that left the WHO, our people.

In that time, there was no social media platform or networking events to find your “who” or tribe of people who are on the receiving end of serving. Jesus took lots of walks, invited 12 unique and imperfect men, and they said yes to following Jesus with their whole life.

He didn’t stop there. He cultivated a relationship of mentorship and fellowship that was centered around God’s will for His life and their lives. Jesus knew serving was an adventure best accomplished in the midst of a variety of personalities and temperaments, while constantly reminding them of a God’s incredible plan for their lives.

In the messy moments, He served them.

In the betrayal moments, He served them.

In the miraculous moments, He served them.

His serving had no boundaries and knew no limits. Why? Because it was His constant act of love for His Father poured out onto His Disciples. Love has a name: It’s Jesus. Love also has a way: It’s serving. When people often struggle with the act of serving, it’s because they wrestle with Jesus’ final act of love accomplished on the cross. If He became our “WHY”, then the world becomes our “WHO”!

John 13:18 – “…I know so well each one of you I chose.”

Jesus said these words to His Disciples immediately following His act of washing their feet (illustrative for serving). They were His WHO; the people He knew so well and that He chose.

Isn’t it powerful to know that even in His commands, Jesus still gives us the power to choose Him, choose serving, and choose those you serve?

Who are you serving? Have you chosen your people yet, your tribe, your gang, your group, your team, your community, your church, your home and your spiritual family?

Most Christians who choose Jesus and a personal relationship with Him, will often choose to sacrifice time, talent, treasure to serve the vision or mission of the organization. The one part they often forget is the sweetest blessing of the serving; they become your people. Yes, you will stand at a door and greet people. Yes, you will even open your home to host a group. But when life gets demanding, or the world gets discouraging, we often forget the power of our choice to serve others will ultimately become our BIGGEST blessing in the form of our community.

Jesus knew His call of serving and obeyed…and so the Father blessed him with 12 men who loved him well and followed Him beyond His death on the cross.

You’ve discovered your WHO: Jesus
You’ve said yes to the HOW: serving
Now it’s time to embrace your WHO: your community.

Welcome Home,

Jessica Huffman
Pastor, servant, friend