Service: Lessons from a Towel
by Mike Killebrew
I graduated from Lincoln Christian College in 2001. Alongside our undergraduate diplomas, each graduate received a simple hand towel. Surprisingly, this towel may have held as much significance as the diploma itself, symbolizing servant leadership. Graduating as a servant carried greater importance than all the knowledge we had acquired. In front of the chapel stood a bronze sculpture illustrating the profound importance of servant leadership for a Bible college graduate: Jesus Christ washing the feet of his disciples, including Peter, as described in John 13:4-17. In the Kingdom of God, service takes various forms, but a simple towel serves as a powerful symbol of its importance. I'm grateful for the reminder to express myself through acts of service, following Jesus' example.
Service is challenging to capture in words because it's so action oriented. It's best learned by observation and practice. That's what makes Jesus' act of washing his disciples' feet so powerful and why the bronze sculpture is so impactful. Jesus demonstrated service, reinforcing his teachings through action, and his disciples watched, learned and then practiced. Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 emphasize that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many—an exemplary statement and action.
Service in the Kingdom of God manifests in various forms. As Peter mentions in 1 Peter 4:10, we are to use the gifts we've received to serve others faithfully, as stewards of God's grace. While our spiritual gifts differ, we're all responsible for using them wisely. As we focus on Jesus in 2024, let's not forget to carry our servant towels each day. Consider the following when you see a T.O.W.E.L., reflecting on Jesus, who "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:7).
T – Take Initiative
Jesus noticed no one was washing the disciples' feet, so he took action. John 13:4 describes how he "got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist." Sometimes, service is as simple as recognizing and fulfilling a need that others overlook. Seize these opportunities to act instead of merely reacting.
O – Outwardly Express
Service is outward; it's not about fulfilling personal desires. It's often unglamorous, unnoticed, and challenging. Richard Foster notes, "Service is not a list of things we do; rather, through it, we discover what we can do."
W – Watch God Work
God doesn't need our service; rather, we get to join him in it. Acts 17:25 reminds us that God is not served by human hands but gives life and everything else. When we serve, we witness God's work firsthand, positioning ourselves to receive his greatest gift—himself.
E – Examine Your Heart
Service fosters humility, a crucial aspect of spiritual growth. It's not achieved by desire alone but through routine acts of service. By examining our hearts and serving intentionally, we cultivate humility and experience God's blessings.
L – Learn to Master This Discipline
Service is a discipline we can practice, enhancing our likelihood of accomplishment and overcoming competing behaviors. Galatians 6:2 encourages us to bear one another's burdens, akin to Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet. Like him, we can practice humility and become servants to all.
Perhaps, like me, you could use a reminder. I appreciate the simplicity of Jesus' gesture—wrapping a towel around his waist and washing his disciples' feet. Consider starting your day with a towel, and let it remind you to approach each day with a servant's heart and attitude.
